Messier 51 (M 51)

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; NGC 5194) and its companion NGC 5195 in the constallation Canes Venatici.

Introduction

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. In the Vespera it is somewhat small, in the Vespera Pro a little larger again (nearly the same image scale as the eVscope)...

M 51 (NGC 5194) and NGC 5195 are also classified as Arp 85.

On a Vespera Pro photo, I was able to find the further following galaxies: IC 4257, IC 4263, IC 4277, IC 4278, IC 4282, IC 4284, IC 4285, NGC 5169, NGC 5173, NGC 5198.
NGC 5169, NGC 5173, and NGC 5198 form together with PGC 48012 the NGC 5198 galaxy group (LGG 352).

M 51 (NGC 5194) (Arp 85)	NGC 5195 (Arp 85)
Size: 11.2' x 6.9' (Wikipedia) Distance: 24 million light years (Wikipedia) Rating: *** (Stoyan)	Size: 5.8' x 4.6' (Wikipedia) Distance: 25 million light years (Wikipedia) Rating: *** (Stoyan)

NGC 5169	NGC 5173	NGC 5198
Size: 2.1' x 0.8' (Wikipedia) Distance: 113 million light years (Wikipedia) Rating: ---	Size: 1.0' x 0.9' (Wikipedia) Distance: 112 million light years (Wikipedia) Rating: ---	Size: 2.0' x 1.7' (Wikipedia) Distance: 116 million light years (Wikipedia) Rating: ---

Map

The spiral galaxy M 51 (Whirlpool Galaxy) in constellation Canes Venatici (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

The spiral galaxy M 51 (Whirlpool Galaxy) and members of the NGC 5198 group in constellation Canes Venatici (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Sketch

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.

My Best Own Photos

ZWO ASI224 at Omegon PS 72/432


M 51 - April 13, 2021 - 50 frames, 10 s, gain 134, processed		M 51 - April 13, 2021 - 76 frames, 10 s, gain 300, processed

eVscope


M 51 - Mar 15, 2020	M 51 - Mar 23, 2020	M 51 - Mar 23, 2020

M 51 - Mar 15, 2020, photo on top processed	M 51 - Mar 23, 2020, photo on top processed	M 51 - Mar 23, 2020, photo on top processed

M 51 - Mar 6, 2021	M 51 - Mar 6, 2021	M 51 - Mar 6, 2021

M 51 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed	M 51 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed	M 51 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed

eVscope 2 (3)


M 51 - Aug, 22, 2022	M 51 - Aug 21, 2023, 10 min	M 51 - Aug 23, 2023, 110 min

M 51 - Aug 22, 2022, photo on top processed	M 51 - Aug 21, 2023, photo on top processed	M 51 - Aug 23, 2023, photo on top processed

Vespera


M 51, Aug 7, 2022 - original (122 frames = 1220s)		M 51, Aug 16, 2022 - original (181 frames = 1810s)

M 51, 10.6.2023 - original (360 frames = 3600s = 1h)		M 51, 10.6.2023 - original (534 frames = 5340s)

Vespera Pro


M 51, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (490 frames = 4900s)		M 51, May 25, 2024 - 1800p (490 frames = 4900s), section

M 51, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (490 frames = 4900s), processed (PSE)		M 51, May 25, 2024 - 1800p (490 frames = 4900s), section, processed (PSE)

M 51, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (490 frames = 4900s), additionally denoised (DN)		M 51, May 25, 2024 - 1800p (490 frames = 4900s), section, additionally denoised (DN)

Evaluation with nova.astronometry.net*		Evaluation with nova.astronometry.net** (section)

M 51, Aug 5, 2024 - 1800p (270 frames = 2700s)		M 51, Aug 5, 2024 - 1800p (270 frames = 2700s), processed (PSE)
		) Further galaxies (apart fromM 51 and NGC 5195): IC 4257, IC 4263, IC 4277, IC 4278, IC 4282, IC 4284, IC 4285, NGC 5169, NGC 5173, NGC 5198 *) Further galaxies (apart fromM 51 and NGC 5195): IC 4263, IC 4277, IC 4278, IC 4282
M 51, Aug 5, 2024 - 1800p (270 frames = 2700s), processed (PSE) and denoised (DN)


M 51, Mar 27, 2025 - 2000p (540 frames = 90 min)		M 51, Mar 27, 2025 - 2000p (540 frames = 90 min), beprocessedarbeitet

Evaluation with nova.astronometry.net*		M 51, Mar 27, 2025 - 2000p (540 frames = 90 min), processed and denoised (PAI)

M 51, Mar 27, 2025 - 2100p (540 frames = 90 min), section, processed		M 51, Mar 27, 2025 - 2100p (540 frames = 90 min), section, processed and denoised (PAI)

Evaluation with nova.astronometry.net* (section)		M 51, Mar 27, 2025 - 2100p (540 frames = 90 min), section, processed from TIFF and denoised (PAI)

*) Further galaxies (apart fromM 51 and NGC 5195): IC 4257, IC 4263, IC 4277, IC 4278, IC 4282, IC 4284, IC 4285, NGC 5169, NGC 5173, NGC 5198

My Own Observations

Observations May 2017

May 14, 2017 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Explorer 150PDS on GoTo mount): M 51 a glow, maybe with a bright core
May 15, 16, 2017 (ditto): M 51 a glow, or better, a diffuse something...

Observations September/October 2019

Sep 18, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600, AZ Pronto Mount): M 51 (24, 10 mm) more guessed than seen; Astrid saw two "spots".
Sep 19, 2019 (Sumène, France: PS 72/432, AZ Pronto Mount): M 51 (24, 7 mm) seen similarly well or poorly as with ST120 (as far as I remembered...).
Sep 20, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600, AZ Pronto Mount): M 51 (24, 7 mm) very faint once again.

Observations March to September 2020

Mar 15, 23, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed, nicest on March 23 (nearly new moon)
Apr 8, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed (full moon)
Apr 19, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed, somewhat fuzzy...
Apr 21, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed.
Apr 22, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed (no overlay, rectangular format).
May 24, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.), clouds
Jun 11, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.), sky a little too bright
Jun 12, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
Jul 3, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.), sky too bright
Jul 9, 2020 (Ulm: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
Aug 8, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.), eVscope out of focus
Aug 19, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
Sep 8, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.)

Observations March to May 2021

Mar 6, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.), exposed manually
April 13, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS72 on AZ-GTi, ASI224): M 51 photographed (10 seconds); stars a little bloated
April 20, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS72 on AZ-GTi, ASI224): M 51 photographed; with and without UV/IR cut filter; used ASILive and Sharpcap
April 23, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS72 on AZ-GTi, ASI224): M 51 photographed; with and without UV/IR cut filter; used ASILive and Sharpcap
April 24, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C5 on AZ-GTi, ASI224): M 51 photographed
May 30, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing

Observations July to October 2021

July 17, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor collimation
July 29, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor collimation; exposed too shortly...
August 14, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C8 on Star Discovery): M 51 observed; very faint, but two small dots visible, hardly more...
August 20, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 11 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, better new collimation, poor...
September 2, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS72 on AZ-GTi mount, ASI224): M 51 photographed
September 4, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TLAPO1027 on Star Discovery mount, ASI224 ): M 51 photographed
September 8, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing; poor...
October 9, 2021 Erkerode: eVscope): M 51 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing; poor, too shortly exposed...

Observations April 2022

April 9, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 51 photographed (app version 1.5)
April 10, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 51 photographed (app version 1.5)
April 17, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 51 photographed (app version 1.5)

Observations July/August 2022

July 29, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 51 photographed
August 4, 6, and 7, 2022 (Erkerode: Vespera): M 51 photographed
August 16, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 51 photographed
August 22, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 51 photographed

Observations June 2022

June 10, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 51 photographed at 1h, 0.5h, and 1.5h exposure time

Observations August 2023

August 21, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 51 photographed; new image processing (DDT), 10 min
August 21, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 51 photographed; new image processing (DDT), 110 min

Observations May to August 2024

May 13, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 51 photographed, poor quality (7.5 min)
May 25, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 51 photographed (82 min)
August 5, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 51 photographed (45 min)

Observations March 2025

March 27, 2025 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 51 photographed (90 min)

References

Messier Catalogue - Messier 51: messier.seds.org/m/m051.html
Messier 51 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_51, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlpool_Galaxy
NGC 5195 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_5195
NGC 5169 - Spiral Galaxy in Canes Venatici: theskylive.com/sky/deepsky/ngc5169-object
NGC 5173 - Elliptical Galaxy in Canes Venatici (The Live Sky): theskylive.com/sky/deepsky/ngc5173-object
NGC 5198 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_5198
NGC 5198 - Elliptical Galaxy in Canes Venatici (The Live Sky): theskylive.com/sky/deepsky/ngc5198-object

On this Site

Appendix: My Own Photos

ZWO ASI224 at Omegon PS 72/432


M 51 - April 13, 2021 - 50 frames, 10 s, gain 134, processed	M 51 - April 13, 2021 - 76 frames, 10 s, gain 300, processed	M 51 - 20.4.20210, 17 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, no UV/IR cut filter

M 51 - Apr 20, 2021, 18 frames, 10 s, gain 300, processed, with UV/IR cut filter	M 51 - Apr 20, 2021, 18 frames, 10 s, gain 300, processed, no UV/IR cut filter	M 51 - 20.4.2021, 17 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, processed, no UV/IR cut filter

M 51 - Apr 20, 2021, 16 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, with UV/IR cut filter	M 51 - Apr 20, 2021, 21 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, no UV/IR cut filter	M 51 - Apr 20, 2021, 17 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, no UV/IR cut filter

M 51 - Apr 20, 2021, 16 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, processed, with UV/IR cut filter	M 51 - Apr 20, 2021, 21 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, processed, no UV/IR cut filter	M 51 - Apr 20, 2021, 17 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, processed, no UV/IR cut filter

M 51 - Apr 23, 2021, 13 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, WithDisplayStretch, no UV/IR cut filter	M 51 - Apr 23, 2021, 20 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, WithDisplayStretch, no UV/IR cut filter	M 51- Apr 23, 2021, 13 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, from FITS file, no UV/IR cut filter

M 51 - Apr 23, 2021, 13 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, WithDisplayStretch, processed, no UV/IR cut filter	M 51 - Apr 23, 2021, 20 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, WithDisplayStretch, processed, no UV/IR cut filter	M 51 - Apr 23, 2021, 13 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, from FITS file, processed, no UV/IR cut filter

M 51 - Apr 23, 2021, 100 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, WithDisplayStretch, with UV/IR cut filter	M 51 - Apr 23, 2021, 100 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, WithDisplayStretch, processed, with UV/IR cut filter	M 51 - Apr 23, 2021, 100 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, from FITS file, processed, with UV/IR cut filter

M 51 - Apr 23, 2021, 123 frames, 10 s, gain 300, ASILive, saved directlyt, processed, with UV/IR cut filter	M 51 - Apr 23, 2021, 123 frames, 10 s, gain 300, ASILive, fron FITS file, processed, with UV/IR cut filter	M 51 - Apr 13, 2021 (for comparison), 76 frames, 10 s, gain 300, ASILive, from FITS file, processed, no UV/IR cut filter

M 51 - 2.9.2021, PS 72, 4/32, stacked from single frames, with UV/IR cut filter

ZWO ASI224 at Celestron C5


M 51 - Apr 24, 2021, 15 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, WithDisplayStretch		M 51- Apr 24, 2021, 15 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, from FITS file

M 51 - Apr 24, 2021, 15 frames, 12 s, gain 300), SharpCap, WithDisplayStretch, processed		M 51 - Apr 24, 2021, 15 frames, 12 s, gain 300, SharpCap, from FITS file, processed

ZWO ASI224 at TS-Optics TLAPO1027


M 51 - Sep 4, 2021, 96frames, 5sec, gain300		M 51 - Sep 4, 2021, 96frames, 5sec, gain300, bearbeitet

eVscope


M 51 - Mar 15, 2020	M 51 - Mar 15, 2020, processed	M 51 - Mar 15, 2020

M 51 - 15.3.2020, processed	M 51 - Mar 15, 2020, processed alternatively	M 51 - Mar 23, 2020

M 51 - Mar 23, 2020	M 51 - Mar 23, 2020, processed (photo left)	M 51 - Mar 23, 2020, processed (photo above)

M 51 - Apr 8, 2020, full moon	M 51 - Apr 8, 2020, processed (photo left)

M 51 - Apr 19, 2020, fuzzy	M 51 - Apr 19, 2020, fuzzy, processed (photo left)

M 51 - Apr 21, 2020	M 51 - Apr 21, 2020, processed (photo left)	M 51 - Apr 21, 2020, processed differently (photo left)

M 51 - Apr 22, 2020	M 51 - May 24, 2020, clouds	M 51 - May 24, 2020, clouds

M 51 - Apr 22, 2020, photo on top processed	M 51 - May 24, 2020, photo on top processed	M 51 - May 24, 2020, photo on top processed

M 51 - Jun 11, 2020, sky a little too bright	M 51 - Jun 12, 2020, a little too bright	M 51 - Jul 3, 2020, sky too bright

M 51 - Jun 11, 2020, photo on top processed	M 51 - Jun 12, 2020, photo on top processed	M 51 - Jul 3, 2020, photo on top processed

M 51 - Jul 9, 2020	M 51 - Jul 9, 2020	M 51 - Aug 8, 2020, out of focus

M 51 - Jul 9, 2020, photo on top processed	M 51 - Jul 9, 2020, photo on top processed	M 51 - Jul 9, 2020, photo on top processed

M 51 - Aug 19, 2020	M 51 - Aug 19, 2020, photo left processed

M 51 - Sep 8, 2020	M 51 - Sep 8, 2020, photo left processed

M 51 - Mar 6, 2021	M 51 - Mar 6, 2021	M 51 - Mar 6, 2021

M 51 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed	M 51 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed	M 51 - Mar 6, 2021, photo on top processed

M 51 - May 30, 2021	M 51 - May 30, 2021	M 51 - May 30, 2021

M 51 - May 30, 2021, photo on top further processed with Polarr	M 51 - May 30, 2021, photo on top further processed with Polarr	M 51 - May 30, 2021, photo on top further processed with Polarr

M 51 - Jul 17, 2021	M 51 - Jul 29, 2021, too shortly exposed...	M 51 - Aug 20, 2021, too shortly exposed...

M 51 - Jul 17, 2021, photo on top processed	M 51 - Jul 29, 2021, photo on top processed	M 51 - Aug 20, 2021, photo on top processed

M 51 - Sep 8, 2021, too shortly exposed...	M 51 - Sep 8, 2021, photo left processed

M 51 - Sep 8, 2021, too shortly exposed, somewhat fuzzy...	M 51 - Sep 8, 2021, photo left processed

eVscope 2


M 51 - Apr 9, 2022	M 51 - Apr 9, 2022, photo left processed	M 51 - Apr 9, 2022, photo left processed, section

M 51 - Apr 10, 2022	M 51 - Apr 10, 2022, photo left processed

M 51 - Apr 17, 2022	M 51 - Apr 17, 2022, photo left processed

eVscope 2 (3)


M 51 - Aug, 22, 2022	M 51 - Aug 21, 2023, 10 min	M 51 - Aug 23, 2023, 110 min

M 51 - Aug 22, 2022, photo on top processed	M 51 - Aug 21, 2023, photo on top processed	M 51 - Aug 23, 2023, photo on top processed

Vespera


M 51, Jul 29, 2022 - original (59 frames = 590s)		M 51, Aug 4, 2022 - original (61 frames = 610s)

M 51, Aug 6, 2022 - original (31 frames = 310s)		M 51, Aug 7, 2022 - original (122 frames = 1220s)

M 51, Aug 16, 2022 - original (181 frames = 1810s)		M 51, 10.6.2023 - original (360 frames = 3600s = 1h)

M 51, 10.6.2023 - original (207 frames = 2070s)		M 51, 10.6.2023 - original (534 frames = 5340s)

Vespera Pro


M 51, May 13, 2024 - 2000p (46 frames = 460s)		M 51, May 13, 2024 - section, 2000p (46 frames = 460s)

M 51, May 13, 2024 - section, 2000p (46 frames = 460s), processed (PSE)		M 51, May 13, 2024 - section, 2000p (46 frames = 460s), additionally denoised (DN)

M 51, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (490 frames = 4900s)		M 51, May 25, 2024 - 1800p (490 frames = 4900s), section

M 51, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (490 frames = 4900s), processed (PSE)		M 51, May 25, 2024 - 1800p (490 frames = 4900s), section, processed (PSE)

M 51, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (490 frames = 4900s), additionally denoised (DN)		M 51, May 25, 2024 - 1800p (490 frames = 4900s), section, additionally denoised (DN)

Evaluation with nova.astronometry.net*		Evaluation with nova.astronometry.net** (section)

M 51, Aug 5, 2024 - 1800p (270 frames = 2700s)		M 51, Aug 5, 2024 - 1800p (270 frames = 2700s), processed (PSE)
		) Further galaxies (apart fromM 51 and NGC 5195): IC 4257, IC 4263, IC 4277, IC 4278, IC 4282, IC 4284, IC 4285, NGC 5169, NGC 5173, NGC 5198 *) Further galaxies (apart fromM 51 and NGC 5195): IC 4263, IC 4277, IC 4278, IC 4282
M 51, Aug 5, 2024 - 1800p (270 frames = 2700s), processed (PSE) and denoised (DN)


M 51, Mar 27, 2025 - 2000p (540 frames = 90 min)		M 51, Mar 27, 2025 - 2000p (540 frames = 90 min), beprocessedarbeitet

Evaluation with nova.astronometry.net*		M 51, Mar 27, 2025 - 2000p (540 frames = 90 min), processed and denoised (PAI)

M 51, Mar 27, 2025 - 2100p (540 frames = 90 min), section, processed		M 51, Mar 27, 2025 - 2100p (540 frames = 90 min), section, processed and denoised (PAI)

Evaluation with nova.astronometry.net* (section)		M 51, Mar 27, 2025 - 2100p (540 frames = 90 min), section, processed from TIFF and denoised (PAI)

*) Further galaxies (apart fromM 51 and NGC 5195): IC 4257, IC 4263, IC 4277, IC 4278, IC 4282, IC 4284, IC 4285, NGC 5169, NGC 5173, NGC 5198