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| The '''Whirlpool Galaxy''', '''Messier Object 51''' ('''M51'''), also known as '''NGC 5194''', is a classic ], discovered by ] on ], ]. It is one of the brightest, most compelling ] in the sky, visible with ] in the constellation ]. The spiral galactic structure was first observed in this galaxy, which is the dominant member of a ]. | The '''Whirlpool Galaxy''', '''Messier Object 51''' ('''M51'''), also known as '''NGC 5194''', is a classic ], discovered by ] on ], ]. It is one of the brightest, most compelling ] in the sky, visible with ] in the constellation ]. The spiral galactic structure was first observed in this galaxy, which is the dominant member of a ]. | ||
| Its companion galaxy, ], was discovered in ] by ]. Sometimes M51 is used to refer to the pair of galaxies, in which case the individual galaxies may be refered to as M51A (5194) and M51B (5195). The galaxy is less than 37 million ]s away -- some measurements put the distance at only 15 million. | Its companion galaxy, ], was discovered in ] by ]. Sometimes M51 is used to refer to the pair of galaxies, in which case the individual galaxies may be refered to as M51A (5194) and M51B (5195). The galaxy is less than 37 million ]s away -- some measurements put the distance at only 15 million. | ||
Revision as of 19:55, 10 June 2004
The Whirlpool Galaxy, Messier Object 51 (M51), also known as NGC 5194, is a classic spiral galaxy, discovered by Charles Messier on October 13, 1773. It is one of the brightest, most compelling galaxies in the sky, visible with binoculars in the constellation Canes Venatici. The spiral galactic structure was first observed in this galaxy, which is the dominant member of a group of galaxies.
Its companion galaxy, NGC 5195, was discovered in 1781 by Pierre Méchain. Sometimes M51 is used to refer to the pair of galaxies, in which case the individual galaxies may be refered to as M51A (5194) and M51B (5195). The galaxy is less than 37 million light years away -- some measurements put the distance at only 15 million.
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