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The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) in Canes Venatici with SN 2005cs

by

R.Jay GaBany/Novapix

Reference

a-gax51-94009

Date

2006-09-16

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. On June 28, 2005, a new star was noticed in this galaxy. It was confirmed to be a bright supernova, one of the brightest in recent years and similar to the brightest supernova of modern times: 1987A. This rare event, SN 2005cs, is visible on the first spiral arm, directly below the nucleus, as a bright star.