This is a picture of M51, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, in the constellation of Canes Venatici. It is a spiral galaxy that is interacting with its neighbor, NGC 5195. It is about 37 million light years away from earth.
Date: February 25 and 27, 2011
Location: Rancho Hidalgo, NM
Telescope: TEC-140 APO (F7)
Camera: SBIG ST8300M
Luminance 16X10 minute exposures
Red 8X10 minute exposures
Green 8X10 minute exposures
Blue 8X10 minute exposures