Whirlpool Galaxy
About Messier 51
The Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as Messier 51 (M51) or NGC 5194, is a grand-design spiral galaxy located in the constellation Canes Venatici. It’s notable for its beautifully defined spiral arms, which are star-formation factories, compressing hydrogen gas and creating clusters of new stars12. Discovered in 1773 by Charles Messier, it was the first galaxy to be classified as a spiral galaxy1.
M51 is interacting with a smaller galaxy, NGC 5195, which appears to be tugging on one of its arms, triggering new star formation. This interaction makes M51 and its companion one of the most famous and relatively close interacting systems, offering a valuable opportunity for astronomers to study galaxy structure and interactions1.
The Whirlpool Galaxy is approximately 23 to 31 million light-years away from Earth and can be observed with binoculars or a small telescope123. Its apparent magnitude is 8.4, making it one of the brightest and most picturesque galaxies visible in the sky24.
The Whirlpool Galaxy, known as M51 or NGC 5194, is classified as an SA(s)bc pec galaxy. This classification indicates that M51 is a spiral galaxy (S) without a bar (A), with somewhat loosely wound arms (bc), and peculiar (pec) due to its interaction with the companion galaxy NGC 51951
1 en.wikipedia.org | 2 science.nasa.gov | 3 constellation-guide.com | 4 science.nasa.gov
Photo Capture Info:
(437) 1.5 Minute Exposures in Luminance - 10 hrs, 55 Mins
~ 4.75 hrs each of Red, Green, Blue
Bias and Flats (No Darks)
Total Integration time: 24 hours, 15 minutes
Optical Equipment Used:
Baader RGB Filters, Chroma LoGlow Broadband Light Pollution Reduction Filter (L)
Scope: Explore Scientific ED 127mm refractor
Camera: ZWO 2600mm
Guide scope: Agena Astro 60mm refractor
Guide camera: ZWO ASI120mm-S
Computerized Equipment and Software:
Mount: Losmandy G11G
Beelink Mini PC S Intel 11th Gen
Focuser: ZWO EAF (Electronically Assisted Focuser)
Filter Wheel: ZWO 7 Position
Pegasus Pocket Powerbox Micro
PixInsight for Processing
Mythology:
Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, is a constellation in the northern sky with associated mythology that likely dates back into prehistory. Let’s explore its fascinating background:
Origin and Significance:
In antiquity, Ursa Major was one of the original 48 constellations listed by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD.The Big Dipper: Ursa Major is primarily known for its main seven stars, which form the famous asterism called the Big Dipper or the Plough. The Big Dipper's stellar configuration mimics the shape of the Little Dipper in Ursa Minor. Two of its stars, Dubhe and Merak, can be used as navigational pointers toward the current northern pole star, Polaris in Ursa Minor.
Mythological Associations: In Greek mythology, Ursa Major is associated with Callisto, a nymph who was turned into a bear by Zeus’ jealous wife, Hera. Callisto’s transformation into a bear is a tragic tale, and her image is immortalized in the constellation.
Visibility and Circumpolarity: Ursa Major is visible throughout the year from most of the Northern Hemisphere and appears circumpolar above mid-northern latitudes. Even from southern temperate latitudes, parts of the constellation remain visible.
Next time you look up at the night sky, remember the ancient stories woven into the stars of Ursa Major! 🌟🐻
References: en.wikipedia.org, constellation-guide.com, thegalaxyhub.com, underthenightsky.com
PixInsight Processing Details
WBPP used for calibrating, cosmetic correction, and stacking if Lights, Bias, and Flats.
GradientCorrect to remove gradients from each image.
BlurXterminator correct only on L
BlurXterminator on on L
RGB Channel Combination with... RGB images
BlurXterminator correct only on RGB image
Used SpectrophotometricCC in RGB mode to color correct everything
GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch on both L and RGB Linear to bring black point to the edge
Histogram Stretch to get to L and RGB images into the Linear State
Histogram Stretch to get to L and RGB images into the Linear State
Processing on the Luminance Channel
Removed Stars using StarXTerminator
NoiseXterminator @ 90
HDRMultiscaleTransform at level 10 to tone down the Core of the galaxy and enhance details
Very slight S-Curves Adjustment
LocalHistogramEqualization @ 25
LocalHistogramEqualization @ 75
LocalHistogramEqualization @ 125
MultiscaleLinearTransform with small values to Sharpen
LRGB Combined
Used Convolution on RGB image to blur for LRGB action.
Used 1 round of LRGBCombination to sharpen RGB image and improve saturation
Used ColorSaturation to boost overall colors of entire image
Ran NoiseXterminator @ 75
ICCProfileTransformation (Ready image for the Web)