The Whirlpool Galaxy
The galaxy's massive center, the bright ball of light in the center of the photograph, is about 80 light-years across and has a brightness of about 100 million suns. Astronomers estimate that it is about 400 million years old and has a mass 40 million times larger than our Sun.
Credit:Nino Panagia ( Space Telescope Science Institute and European Space Agency) and NASA
About the Image
About the Object
| Name: | IRAS 13277+4727, M 51, Messier 51, NGC 5194, Whirlpool Galaxy |
|---|---|
| Type: | Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Spiral |
| Distance: | 25 million light years |
| Constellation: | Canes Venatici |
| Category: | Galaxies |
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 13 29 52.72 |
|---|---|
| Position (Dec): | 47° 11' 43.35" |
| Field of view: | 0.15 x 0.15 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 34.2° left of vertical |
View in ESASky:
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Telescope |
|---|---|
| Optical B |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |
| Optical V |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |
| Optical R |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |