Deep sky · Galaxy in Canes Venatici · M 51 · NGC 5194
M 51
Whirlpool Galaxy
The Whirlpool Galaxy: the first galaxy anyone saw spiral arms in, in 1845, pulled into shape by the small galaxy tugging at its arm.
- Type
- Galaxy
- Designations
- M 51 · NGC 5194
- Constellation
- Canes Venatici
- Apparent magnitude
- 8.1
- Apparent size
- 11′ × 7′
- Position (J2000)
- RA 13h 30m · Dec +47° 12′
History
Lord Rosse built the “Leviathan of Parsonstown”, a 72-inch telescope, in Ireland, and sketched the spiral. People began to wonder if the “nebulae” were whirling systems of stars.
Look for
It lies just below Alkaid, the end of the Big Dipper’s handle.