Whirlpool Galaxy, M51

June 2022

Imaging: TS80 apo, ZWO ASI533 (100 gain, 0C), Neo & LEnh
Subs: 308x60 (5h) neo, 136x180s (6h) LEnh, darks, flats, and darkflats
Software: NINA, Phd2, PixInsight

(Additional notes below)

Gallery

Notes

This is the Whirlpool Galaxy, Messier 51 along with its companion galaxy, NGC 5195. According to Wikipedia, it is an "interacting" grand design galaxy. It is located about 31M light years away and was the first galaxy to be classified as a spiral galaxy. What we know is that the Whirlpool is "interacting" with the NGC 5195 galaxy. But you could be forgiven for seeing this as Whirlpool devouring the other galaxy (and that is certainly the way I see it).

I captured the data for this image over several nights in early June. This is a mix of regular RGB imaging (neodymium filter) combined with Ha (LEnhance filter). The Ha is what shows as red dots in the spirals. As I have mentioned multiple times, my current equipment is not geared towards imaging galaxies. Consequently, you don't see the detail into the galaxy itself. It is still a very beautiful combo, though, and you should also take a look at some of the better images of it on the Internet.