
NASA, ESA, S. Beckwith (STScI), and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
Observed Image · View image & astronomy source
Observed ImageFull image credit, licence & processing notes
Whirlpool
Official catalogue designation: M51 / NGC 5194
Your name for it: THE DAVE GALAXY
The Whirlpool Galaxy is a face-on spiral whose bright arms trace regions of gas, dust and young stars. Its companion, NGC 5195, also appears in this Hubble image. A beautifully clear view of the structure that makes spiral galaxies so recognisable.
- Galaxy type
- Spiral
- Distance from Earth
- c. 31 million light-years
- Constellation
- Canes Venatici
- Approximate diameter
- 60,000 light-years
- Right ascension
- 13h 29m 52.37s
- Declination
- +47° 11′ 40.8″
Distances and sizes are estimates. Coordinates identify the catalogue object, rather than an exclusive plot of space.
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