Whirlpool Galaxy

Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)

Spiral Galaxy

Canes Venatici

~31 million light years

26 April 2026

Brummen, Netherlands

William Optics RedCat 51

ZWO AM5N

Canon EOS 800D

-

ASIAIR Mini

14 × 300s

1h 10m

Siril

The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) is one of the most famous spiral galaxies in the night sky. Located in the constellation Canes Venatici, about 31 million light years from Earth, it is interacting with its companion galaxy NGC 5195. This ongoing gravitational interaction helps shape its striking spiral arms and triggers regions of active star formation.