Spiral galaxy M51

by: J.Lodriguss/Novapix
Reference: a-gax51-94001
Date: 2006-09-12

M51 is a wonderful bright face-on spiral galaxy located about 37 million light years away from us. It was one of the first discoveries made by Charles Messier in 1773, and it was the first galaxy where spiral structure was observed, by Lord Rosse in 1845. A faint companion galaxy, NGC 5195, seen here to the right of M51, seems to be interacting with M51. NGC 5195 shines at 9.6 magnitude and is about 5 arc minutes in diameter.

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