The Whirlpool Galaxy (Messier 51 or NGC 5194) is estimated to be approximately 25 million light
years from our Milky Way. It is an interacting grand-design spiral galaxy in the constellation
Canes Venateci. The above image was taken with a TEC 140ED refractor telescope and a
QSI 583wsg CCD camera. Total exposure through LRGB filters just under 20 hours.