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> The Whirlpool Galaxy seen in X-ray

The Whirlpool Galaxy seen in X-ray

author: Nasa/CXC/Sao/Novapix

reference: a-gax51-94010

Image Size 300 DPI: 20 * 20 cm

The Whirlpool Galaxy lies approximately 31 million light years from earth. This spectacular galaxy is paired with a smaller, more distant companion whose matter is being disrupted by the larger spiral in a gravitational tug of war. Eventually, the shape of both will be altered over many more millions of years. Image taken in X-ray by the Chandra space telescope on june 20 2000.

Keywords for this photo:

2000 - ASTRONOMY - CANES VENATICI - CHANDRA - GALAXY - INTERACTING - M51 - NGC 5194 - NGC 5195 - Sc - SPIRAL GALAXY - STAR - STAR FORMATION - X - X-RAY -