Object: The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)
Date: 04/1/05
Location: Upham, NM
Telescope: Meade 10" LX200 @ f/6.3
Guiding: GuideDog and SC modified web-cam
Camera: Canon 300D (unmodified)
Exposure: 9 x 5min, ISO 800, Temp 30 -23 degrees F
Processing: Calibrated, aligned and combined (adaptive addition) in ImagesPlus.  Final processing in PS.
Comments: This beautiful structure is actually two galaxies NGC 5194 and NGC 5195 interacting in a gravitational dance at a distance of some 35 million light-years. Astronomers believe that the larger galaxy will eventually absorb the smaller.

© Dave Dockery 2005