The Whirlpool Galaxy is a beautiful face on galaxy. Technically M51 is the larger galaxy, but commonly the pair is called M51. You can see that the larger is sucking the stars, the dust (notice the dark band connecting the two), and the very life out of its diminishing companion. But the smaller one (known as NGC5195) has had it's effect on the larger. Astronomers say the spiral arms and star forming regions of the larger were created by gravitational compression influences of the smaller galaxy.

Occasionally I'll have friends who will ask to see my astrophotos. It's always interesting to hear their reactions and interpretations. When one of them saw this particular picture they thought it should be called "The Cruller", a sweet roll! I had to agree that yes, it sure did look like one of those sweet rolls! Recently, my wife looked at it and said - it's a snail! I have to agree again! I almost like their descriptions better than the classical ones. I did have one fellow who looked at it and declared, - it looks like Rudolf! (the red nose reindeer) I'd say that's a stretch, (nose to the left) but he declared that the more he looked at it that way, the more it fit!

M51 is high in the sky in late winter and early spring, located a little below the end of the handle of the big dipper. It's about 37 million light years away and about as big as our galaxy, - 100,000 light years in diameter and about 160 billion suns.

10" F6.3 Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope, Baader coma corrector, Modified Canon 300D camera at prime focus
Each photo, 800 sec, ISO 800
8 photos averaged together, then brightness, color, and contrast enhanced