Whirlpool Galaxy
Galaxy in Canes Venatici · 23 million light-years
🔭 Explore Whirlpool Galaxy in the 3D map →View Whirlpool Galaxy images →| Type | Galaxy |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Canes Venatici |
| Right ascension | 13h 29m 49s |
| Declination | +47° 12′ |
| Object distance | 23 million light-years |
| Also known as | M51 |
| Imaged by | Hubble, JWST |
A classic grand-design spiral, its elegant arms drawn out by a close encounter with a smaller companion galaxy — a favourite Hubble target.
Observing Whirlpool Galaxy
Whirlpool Galaxy lies in the constellation Canes Venatici and is best placed in the evening sky around April. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. It is best placed for observers in the northern hemisphere, and sits low for those far south. Note that the listed magnitude is spread across the whole object — diffuse galaxies and nebulae are often harder to see than the number alone suggests, so dark, moonless skies help a great deal.
See Whirlpool Galaxy in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Whirlpool Galaxy and see it in context among the real stars around it. Launch the 3D view →
Sources
- Position and distance curated from published deep-sky catalogues (Messier / NGC / IC and the astronomical literature).
- Object identity cross-referenced with SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg).
- Image credits and the original observation source are linked with each photograph.
Related objects
- Andromeda Galaxy — galaxy
- Triangulum Galaxy — galaxy
- Sombrero Galaxy — galaxy
- Messier 110 — galaxy
- Messier 32 — galaxy