M51 - 14.3.2022 at 21.30 - 15.3.2022 at 00.05 Helsinki Observation number 105751

Visibility I / V

Tero Hiekkalinna, Ursa (Helsinki)

The vortex galaxy, or Messier 51, and to its left, the companion galaxy NGC 5195, are located in the constellation of Hounds about 31 million light-years from Earth. It was discovered by the French astronomer Charles Messier in 1773. Exposure for 6 hours and 30 minutes.

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Additional information

Observation target
- Deep space object
Designation
- M51
Constellation
- Canes Venatici

Galaxies
- Spiral galaxy
  
  Spiral galaxy is a stellar system where there are outwards arched spiral arms from roundish (spiral galaxies) or bar-shaped (barred spiral galaxies) central condensation.
  
  The apparent shape of spiral galaxied depends on out observation direction. From above they are quite round. From the side they lens-shaped with a bulge in the middle.
  
  Generally a rather large instrument, good weather conditions and observational expereince are needed to see spiral arms. Usually spiral galaxies look like a fuzzy spots.
  
  Spiral galaxy M33 in Triangulum. Image Tero Turunen.
  
  Andromeda Galaxy M31. There are also galaxies M110 (upper right corner) and M32 (lower left corner) in this image. Image Pekka Peura.
  
  M101 aka Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major. Image Samuli Vuorinen.
  
  Spiral galaxy IC 342 aka Hidden Galaxy in Camelopardalis. Image Timo Inkinen.
  
  A sketch of spiral galaxy NGC 7331 in Pegasus. Image Juha Ojanperä.
- Irregular galaxy
  
  Irregular galaxy is a stellar system without clear organized structure.
  
  Irregular galaxy IC 10 in Cassiopeia. Image Rauno Päivinen.
  
  Large Magellanic Cloud is the third nearest galaxy. Image Toni Veikkolainen.

Technical information

Stand: iOptron CEM60

Recording tube and camera: Sky-Watcher 80ED pro-series + ZWO ASI071MC Pro

Tracking tube and camera: Orion ShortTube 80mm + ZWO ASI120MM mini

Polar Orientation Tube and Camera: Celestron 9 × 50 Viewfinder Telescope + ZWO ASI224MC (Polar Orientation with SharpCap Pro)

Sky camera: ZWO ASI120MC

Engine focus: ZWO EAF

As imaging software I use: NINA - Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy 1.11, PHD2 and Cartes du Ciel.

Image Calibration, Stacking, and Processing: PixInsight 1.8

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Contact information

M51 - 14.3.2022 at 21.30 - 15.3.2022 at 00.05 Helsinki Observation number 105751