M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy

M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy

The Whirlpool Galaxy is a classic spiral galaxy.  At only 37 million light years distant and 100,000 light years in width, M51, is on of the brighter and more beautiful galaxies in the sky.  The smaller galaxy is well behind the larger spiral.  Astronomers speculate that M51's spiral structure is primarily due to it's gravitational interaction with this smaller galaxy.  It is located in Canes Venatici.  I had problems with a street light causing a gradient in the background.  This was taken at my Austin home.

Date:  02-17-2004

Telescope: RC14.5 (.75x)        Camera:ST8XE               

Exposure Time: LRGB 110min 1x1bin ;40min;40min;40min; 2x2bin

Processing: Maxim,reduced ccdsharp 3 interations, DDP, Adobe combined