Click here for a review of the strengths and weaknesses of the Global Rent-A-Scope operation.
This image was created by median combining 7 x 90 second unfiltered images taken with a Takahashi Epsilon 250 with SBIG ST-8XE CCD. The image has been cut down to be 20 x 20 arc minutes in size.
The famous Whirlpool galaxy Messier 51 ( NGC 5194) is one of the most conspicuous spiral galaxies. The spiral structure is a result of M51's close encounter with its neighbour NGC 5195 during which the gas in M51 was disturbed and compressed resulting in the formation of new stars.
In collaboration with the Remote Astronomical Society Observatory
Martin Nicholson - Daventry, United Kingdom.
This page was last updated on April 15th 2009.