M51 Whirlpool Galaxy

Constellation: Canes Venatici
Diatance: 15 Million Light Years
Magnitude: 8.4

Commentary: M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy, is one of the most often imaged celestial objects, and is a relatively close neighbor of our Local Galaxy Group. It is a beautiful and graceful spiral measuring approximately 50,000 light years in diameter, shining with the luminosity of 10 billion suns. The companion galaxy, NGC5195, is undergoing severe tidal interaction with its neighbor, and is now thought to be pulling away gas, dust and stars from M51.

Optics: 12.5" RCOS Truss
Focal Length: 2808mm @ f9
Mount: Paramount ME
Camera: STL6303E
Focuser: RCOS
Guiding: External OAG and guide camera
Filters: Tru-Balance LRGB 2"