- L95 minutes (19 frames)
- H75 minutes (15 frames)
- B120 minutes (24 frames)
- R195 minutes (39 frames)
- G140 minutes (28 frames)
The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), also known as Messier 51a or NGC 5194, is a classic spiral galaxy with a Seyfert 2 type active galaxy nucleus. It is located in the constellation Canes Venatici at a distance of about 23 million light-years from Earth. The galaxy is approximately 65 thousand light-years across. M51 is one of the brightest and most picturesque galaxies available to observe. It was discovered on October 13, 1773 by Charles Messier, who listed it in his catalog of astronomical objects under the number 51.
The unique structure of spiral arms of M51 was first noticed by William Parsons using the 72-inch telescope in Ireland. This galaxy became the first object classified as a spiral galaxy. Later, thanks to the research of Edwin Hubble, it was proven that spiral nebulae like M51 are separate galaxies.
The Whirlpool Galaxy interacts with a nearby satellite galaxy NGC 5195, which helps form its pronounced spiral structure. Research suggests that NGC 5195 has passed through the disk of M51 several times over the past hundreds of millions of years, creating various tidal structures, including a "northwest feather" that extends for 140 thousand light years. M51 is known for its high rate of star formation, especially in the central region and along the spiral arms. Despite this, the star formation efficiency is only about 1%, which is in line with the average for other galaxies. The current rate of star formation may continue for about 100 million years. Three supernovae have been recorded in the Whirlpool Galaxy: SN 1994I, ...
| Photo | Date | Frames | Exposure | L | R | G | B | H | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 15 May 2022 | 125 | 10:25 | 01:35 | 03:15 | 02:20 | 02:00 | 01:15 | |
 | 26 Jan 2021 | 115 | 04:15 | 00:30 | 00:50 | 00:50 | 00:50 | 01:15 | |
 | 30 Apr 2020 | 115 | 04:15 | 00:30 | 00:50 | 00:50 | 00:50 | 01:15 | |
 | 27 Mar 2019 | 57 | 01:54 | 01:54 | |||||
 | 13 Jun 2018 | 73 | 01:13 | 01:13 | |||||
 | 15 Mar 2018 | 89 | 01:29 | 01:29 | |||||
 | 16 May 2017 | 61 | 01:01 | 01:01 |
Visibility chart of Whirlpool Galaxy (M 51) during the day
| Date | Moon Phase | Exposure | CCD Temperature | Gain | Offset | Filter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- 2023ixf•
- 40 Eri•
- Abell 74•
- Artemis A868 SA•
- a Canis Minoris•
- C 2020 R4 ATLAS•
- C 2020 T2 Palomar•
- C 2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)•
- Haumea (2003 EL61)•
- HCG 68•
- HCG 92•
- IC 1318B•
- IC 1396•
- IC 1795•
- IC 1805•
- IC 1848•
- IC 1871•
- IC 3322A•
- IC 342•
- IC 4015•
- IC 405•
- IC 417•
- IC 434•
- IC 443•
- IC 4703•
- IC 5070•
- IC 5146•
- IC 63•
- M 1•
- M 101•
- M 103•
- M 109•
- M 13•
- M 15•
- M 27•
- M 3•
- M 33•
- M 42•
- M 45•
- M 5•
- M 51•
- M 57•
- M 63•
- M 64•
- M 74•
- M 76•
- M 81•
- M 82•
- M 86•
- M 87•
- M 94•
- M 97•
- NGC 147•
- NGC 1491•
- NGC 1499•
- NGC 1579•
- NGC 1961•
- NGC 2146•
- NGC 2239•
- NGC 2403•
- NGC 281•
- NGC 4236•
- NGC 4565•
- NGC 4631•
- NGC 507•
- NGC 508•
- NGC 5866•
- NGC 5907•
- NGC 6503•
- NGC 6823•
- NGC 6888•
- NGC 6946•
- NGC 6992•
- NGC 6995•
- NGC 7000•
- NGC 7023•
- NGC 7129•
- NGC 7217•
- NGC 7331•
- NGC 7380•
- NGC 7538•
- NGC 7635•
- NGC 7640•
- NGC 7822•
- NGC 891•
- NGC 896•
- NGC 925•
- PGC 54559•
- Sh2-155•
- Sh2-168•
- Sh2 103•
- Sh2 109•
- Sh2 132•
- T CrB•
- UGC 6930•
- V1405 Cas•
- Vesta A807 FA•