Messier 51
| This spiral galaxy was first discovered by Charles Messier in 1773. A popular target among amateur astrophotographers, the spiral structure is readily apparent. However, it wasn't very visible to Messier, he described it as a faint nebula patch without stars. Lord Rosse was the first to see it's spiral structure in 1845. The small companion galaxy is NGC 5195. |
| Telescope: Astro-Physics 160mm EDF f7.5 | Designation: M51 |
Mount: Astro-Physics AP1200GTO |
Constellation: Canes Venatici |
| Camera: SBIG ST10XME with Astrodon Filters | Distance: Approx 31 Million Light Years |
| Guiding: SBIG ST402 via Mini Borg 60mm | Type: Spiral Galaxy |
| Exposure: 5 hours 40 minutes | Position: R.A. 13 hr 30 min , Dec +470 12' |
| Processed using CCDStack, PhotoShop CS3 | Date: 13-14 March 2008 |
| Acquisition: CCDAutopilot/CCDSoft/The Sky 6/M1OASYS | Location: Deerlick Astronomy Village |