Introduction | Map | Sketch | My Best Own Photos | My Own Observations | References || Appendix: My Own Photos
On this page I collect my observations of the spiral galaxy M 51 (Whirlpool Galaxy) in the constallation Canes Venatici.
The spiral galaxy M 51 in the constellation Canes Venatici is also called Whirlpool galaxy. According to Karkoschka, it is easily visible with its bright core, but the long spiral arms are only faintly visible even in the telescope. A spiral arm winds to the galaxy NGC 5195 (see sketch by Michael Vlasov). Stoyan writes that there are two interacting galaxies: NGC 5194 and NGC 5195. He also writes that one can recognize changes of the famous spiral arm structure only with an opening from 8" upwards, and for a clear impression and the connection between the two galaxies even 12" are is required. No wonder that I could only see a glimmer and at best a bright core ... In the eVscope, however, M 51 is one of the nicest galaxies.
Size: 8' x 4' (Stoyan)
Distance: 30 million light years (Stoyan)
Rating: *** (Stoyan).
The spiral galaxy M 51 (Whirlpool Galaxy) in constellation Canes Venatici (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)
The sketch by Michael Vlasov (DeepSkyWatch.com) provides a rough impression of what I observed (my impression was much fainter than the sketch): Whirlpool Galaxy (Messier 51, NGC 5195) - Sketch by Michael Vlasov (Copyright © Michael Vlasov 2016)
Note: I only have the author's permission to link to the sketch.
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M 51 - April 13, 2021 - 50 frames, 10 s, gain 134, processed |
M 51 - April 13, 2021 - 76 frames, 10 s, gain 300, processed |
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M 51 - Aug 22, 2022 |
M 51 - Aug 22, 2022, photo left processed |
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M 51, Aug 7, 2022 - original (122 frames = 1220 seconds) |
M 51, Aug 16, 2022 - original (181 frames = 1810 seconds) |
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M 51 - Sep 4, 2021, 96frames, 5sec, gain300 |
M 51 - Sep 4, 2021, 96frames, 5sec, gain300, bearbeitet |
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M 51 - Aug 22, 2022 |
M 51 - Aug 22, 2022, photo left processed |
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M 51, Jul 29, 2022 - original (59 frames = 590 seconds) |
M 51, Aug 4, 2022 - original (61 frames = 610 seconds) |
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M 51, Aug 6, 2022 - original (31 frames = 310 seconds) | M 51, Aug 7, 2022 - original (122 frames = 1220 seconds) |
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M 51, Aug 16, 2022 - original (181 frames = 1810 seconds) |