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M51 - Whirpool Galaxy

March 5 - April 4, 2023

Alovera-2
- Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED Super APO Triplet (550mm/f5.5)
- QHY 268M  
Frames:
Baader Blue: 24×300″(2h) (gain: 26) -15°C bin 1×1
Baader Green: 22×300″(2h) (gain: 26) -15°C bin 1×1
Baader Red: 25×300″(2h) (gain: 26) -15°C bin 1×1
Baader Ha: 39×300″(3,3h) (gain: 26) -15°C bin 1×1
Total integration time: 9,3h
A.R. (centre): 202.472947°
Dec. (centre): 47.199119°
Pixel scale: 1,41 seg.arc/pixel
Resolution: 4482 x 3420

NGC 5194, also known as M51 or Whirpool Galaxy, is a spiral galaxy located 25 million light years from earth, in the constellation Canes Venatici (RA: 13h 29m, DEC: 47° 11' 45''). It is a galaxy of magnitude 8.4 that covers an apparent field of 10 arc minutes, which corresponds to a diameter of 80,000 light years. It is the fourteenth brightest galaxy in the sky and one of the most spectacular, due to its spiral arm structure where it is possible to observe blue star clusters and pink hydrogen regions of star formation. The companion galaxy is NGC 5195 (M51b), a dwarf galaxy. The set is one of the pairs of interacting galaxies most studied. Different theories have been proposed about the encounter of both galaxies. REFS At least 8 other smaller galaxies can be seen in the frame.

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