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M51 - The Whirlpool Galaxy
The Whirlpool Galaxy (also known as
Messier 51a, M51a, or NGC 5194)
is an
interacting
grand-design
spiral galaxy that is estimated to be 23 ± 4 million
light-years
from the
Milky Way Galaxy
in the constellation
Canes Venatici. It is one of the most famous galaxies in the sky.
The galaxy and its companion (NGC 5195) are easily observed by
amateur astronomers, and the two galaxies may
even be seen with
binoculars.
The Whirlpool Galaxy is also a popular target for professional astronomers, who
study it to further understand galaxy structure (particularly structure
associated with the
spiral arms) and galaxy interactions.
What was later known as the Whirlpool Galaxy was discovered on October 13, 1773
by
Charles Messier, and is designated as
M51. Its companion galaxy,
NGC 5195, was
discovered in 1781 by
Pierre Méchain. It was however not until
1845 that the Whirlpool became the first to be recognized as a spiral. This was
achieved by
Lord Rosse employing a 72-inch (~1.83 m)
reflecting telescope which he
constructed at
Birr Castle, Ireland. Sometimes M51 is
used to refer to the pair of galaxies, in which case the individual galaxies may
be referred to as M51A (NGC 5194) and M51B (NGC 5195).
In 2005 a
supernova (SN 2005cs) was
observed in the Whirlpool Galaxy, peaking at
apparent magnitude 14.
On 31 May 2011 a magnitude 13.5
type II supernova (
SN 2011dh)
was detected in M51 at coordinates 13:30:05.08 +47:10:11.2.
Click on images for high resolution (opens new browser)
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Taken on 04/29/2012
Orion ED80
Hap Griffin Modified Canon RebelXT 350D
49 90-second Exposures
ISO 800
Stacked with DeepSkyStacker
Processed with PhotoShop CS
Dars, Flats, and Offsets applied
Copyright © 2012 Antonio Pascarella |
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Used exposures taken on 4/27/12 and 4/29/12 and combined them all.
Orion ED80
Hap Griffin Modified Canon RebelXT 350D
76 90-second Exposures
ISO 800
Stacked with DeepSkyStacker
Processed with PhotoShop CS
Dars, Flats, and Offsets applied
Copyright © 2012 Antonio Pascarella |
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Taken on 04/27/2012
Orion ED80
Hap Griffin Modified Canon Rebel XT 350D
27 90-second Exposures
ISO 800
Stacked with DeepSkyStacker
Processed with PhotoShop CS
Darks, Flats, and Offsets applied
Copyright © 2012 Antonio Pascarella |
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Taken on 7/2/2007
Processed on 3/31/2012
Orion ED80
Hap Griffin Modified Canon Rebel XT350D
26 60-second exposures
ISO 800
Stacked with DeepSkyStacker
Processed with PhotoShop CS
Darks, Flats, and Offsets applied |
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My first M51
Equipment: Orion ED80
Camera: Unmodified Canon Rebel XT 350D
Prime Focus
30-30 seconds images
Darks, Flats, Offsets applied
ISO 800
Stacked with DeepSkyStacker
Processed with PhotoShop CS
© 2007 Antonio Pascarella |
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