M51 is also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy. It is an interacting grand-design spiral galaxy with a Seyfert 2 active galactic nucleus. M51 lies 31 million light years away from Earth in the constellation Canes Venatici. It is approximately 76,000 light years in diameter and contains 100 billion stars. There is gravitational interaction between M51 and the smaller dwarf galaxy NGC 5195 seen behind the long arm of M51. The two are known to be connected by a dust rich tidal bridge.

M51 Whirlpool Galaxy

Scope: Horizon 72ED 432mm.

Camera: ASI533 MC Pro.

Mount: iEXOS-100 PMC8.

Control: ASIAir Pro.

Filter: Altair Quadband.

Exposure: 60 x 120s.

Processed & Annotated: APP (Hα & Oiii), Pixinsight