Spiral galaxy m51 pdf#
Spiral galaxy m51 Patch#

Recent estimates place it at 23 million light-years, but other values between 15 and 35 million light-years have been quoted. The true beauty of this galaxy pair is seen in long exposure images.ĭespite been one of the most studied galaxies of all, the distance to M51 is uncertain. The attaching band of light between M51 and NGC 5195 can also be seen. When viewed through larger instruments of the order of 300mm (12-inch), numerous spiral bands are apparent with large HII regions of gas also visible. Satellite galaxy NGC 5195 is also visible, although it's difficult to detect a connection between the two. The galaxy's surface appears mottled, with some evidence of faint dark dust lanes and the spiral structure. When viewed through a 200mm (8-inch) scope, M51 has a well-defined bright core, surrounded by a large, faint diffuse halo.

Spiral galaxy m51 Patch#

An 80mm (3.1-inch) telescope reveals a diffuse patch of light with a brighter core, although not much more. The Whirlpool galaxy is visible through 10x50 binoculars and finderscopes as a smudge or patch of light, not unlike an out of focus star.

Spiral galaxy m51 pdf#

From latitudes greater than 42N, it's circumpolar and therefore never sets.įinder Chart for M51 - pdf format (credit:- freestarcharts)įinder Chart for M40 (also shown M51, M97, M101, M106, M108 and M109) - pdf format (credit:- freestarcharts) M51 is best seen from the Northern Hemisphere during the months of March, April or May. All three are easily visible in binoculars, with M51 located just west of the southernmost star. This leads to a triangle of stars of magnitudes +7.1, +7.1 and +7.5. Now imagine a line connecting this star with 24 UMa and continue it southwards for a further two degrees. Positioned a degree northeast of 24 UMa is a mag. Located 3 degrees directly west of Alkaid is 24 UMa (mag. To pinpoint M51, first identify Alkaid (η UMa - mag +1.9) the end star of the handle of the Plough. However, finding M51 isn't difficult as it positioned only a few degrees from the handle of the seven stars, that form the famous Plough or Big Dipper asterism of Ursa Major. +2.9), it contains no stars better than 4th magnitude. Apart from its brightest member, Cor Caroli (α CVn - mag. If it was the pair, then the main galaxy should really be referred to as M51A, with NGC 5195 separately known as M51B.Ĭanes Venatici is a small northern constellation of faint stars that was created by Johannes Hevelius in the 17th century. Was he referring to M51 as the larger galaxy, or did he mean the pair itself. In his catalogue of 1781, he put M51 and NGC 5195 in the same note and therefore some confusion exists.

Messier described M51, as a faint nebula without stars, that was difficult to see. His friend Pierre Méchain discovered NGC 5195 on March 20, 1781. M51 was one of Charles Messier original discoveries on October 13, 1773. M51 has a much smaller dwarf companion, known as NGC 5195, and together they form the finest and most studied example of an interacting galaxy pair in the sky.

At magnitude +8.4, it's relatively bright and visible in binoculars, especially from dark sites. It's one of the most famous galaxies in the sky, appearing face-on when viewed from Earth. M51, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, is a grand design spiral galaxy located in the constellation of Canes Venatici.