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M 51 - NGC 5194 - Arp 85 - Whirlpool Galaxy    (image down sampled 0.75x, click on above for full )
Canes Venatici
Penryn, California
February 2008
FS-128  (ag, ST-4)
ST-2000XM  LRGB 10 minute subs 

M 51 is two interconnected galaxies located in Canes Venatici.  According to Burnham, M51 (the Whirlpool Galaxy) was discovered in 1773 and was the first galaxy found to show a spiral form (1845 by Lord Rosse).  M51 is about 35 million light years distant and is one of the nearest and brightest of the galaxies).

Image acquired during a 2nd quarter Moon.