This is an image of M51, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy. It is a grand design spiral galaxy about 23 million light years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. It is an interacting galaxy that is in the process of merging with its neighbor NGC5195 on the right in this picture.
April 19 - May 4, 2017
Location: Rancho Hidalgo, NM
Telescope: Planewave CDK-17
Camera: Apogee CG16M
Mount: Paramount ME
Luminance: 27x20 minutes (binned 1x1)
Red: 12x15 minutes (binned 2x2)
Green: 12x15 minutes (binned 2x2)
Blue: 12x15 minutes (binned 2x2)