The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) is a grand-design spiral about 23 million light-years away in Canes Venatici. It is interacting with its smaller companion, NGC 5195, an encounter that has helped shape its arms and trigger new star formation.
M51 was discovered by Charles Messier in 1773, and in 1845 Lord Rosse, observing from Ireland, became the first to recognise its spiral structure. Its two prominent arms are traced by dark dust lanes, glowing pink star-forming regions and young blue star clusters.
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The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)
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