The Whirlpool galaxy is a large spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. Its distance is estimated to be around 28 million light-years away from earth. With a diameter of around 86,000 light-years, its size is about 35% of the size of the Milky Way and its mass is estimated to be 160 billion solar masses.
The Whirlpool galaxy has a close, interactive companion. In the NGC catalog, it has the number NGC 5195 while the Whirlpool galaxy has the number NGC 5194. The two galaxies interact through gravity and show astronomers what happens when two galaxies collide. Probably due to this interaction, an exceptionally active star formation is taking place currently but with comparatively short-lived stars.
Within 17 years, 3 supernovae were observed:
- SN 1994I in April 1994
- SN 2005cs in June 2005
- SN 2011dh in May / June 2011
Astronomers estimate that NGC 5195 passed through the Whirlpool Galaxy about 500 to 600 million years ago, and then crossed again about 50 to 100 million years ago.
The galaxy is also interesting because it is one of the nearest galaxies with an active galactic core. Its center has a solar luminosity of almost 100 million suns and hides a supermassive black hole.
A focal length of 420mm is a lot to small for this object. But it shows how small it is compared to the bigger stars.
This is a closer look at the galaxy. Unfortunately, the noise comes out very much at this magnification.
The image contains also some other much smaller and much more distant objects.
| Name | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| NGC 5229 | Spiral galaxy | 23.7 million light-years |
| NGC 5198 | Elliptical galaxy | 130.5 million light-years |
| NGC 5169 | Spiral galaxy | 156.6 million light-years |
| NGC 5173 | Elliptical galaxy | 111 million light-years |
| IC 4277 | Spiral galaxy | N/A |
| IC 4278 | Irregular galaxy | 229.9 million light-years |
| IC 4282 | Elliptical dwarf galaxy | 635.4 million light-years |
| IC 4285 | Spiral galaxy | 1,023 million light-years |
| IC 4284 | Elliptical galaxy | 842.5 million light-years |
| IC 4263 | Barred spiral galaxy | 124.9 million light-years |
IC 4257 is a non-existent astronomical object listed in the New General Catalog that is described in the constellation of Canes Venatici.
The farthest object in this picture is IC 4285 with over 1 billion light-years. It is fascinating that such distant objects can be captured by amateur equipment. The light that we see from this galaxy is about 1/13 as old as our universe.
Details of the picture:
The picture was taken from my backyard with the following settings and equipment.
Light frames: 6 x 600" @ unity gain
Dark frames: none
Flat frames: none
Bias frames: 256 pcs.
Camera: QHYCCD247C
Scope: TSAPO65Q · 420mm · f6.5
Guide camera: QHY5L-II
Guide scope: TSL60D · 240mm · f4.0
Mount: Skywatcher AZ EQ-6
All is controlled by my Astro-PC over Remote-Desktop and wireless LAN.
Software: Sequence Generator Pro, PixInsight, Photoshop CC
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@astrophoto.kevin
All images, otherwise clearly indicated, in this post are my own work.
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