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| The Whirlpool Galaxy (which is also known as M 51 or NGC 5194) is a nearly face on spiral galaxy some 31 million light years distant toward the constellation Canis Venatici. The Whirlpool Galaxy is undergoing a collision with the nearby companion galaxy NGC 5195, which is located just beyond the top of the image. This collision is triggering an incredible burst of star formation, which is evident in the many clusters of stars that dot the spiral arm structures. In this image, red or pink represents emission from Hydrogen associated with hot, massive, luminous stars. This image reveals unprecedented detail in the stars, star clusters, and clouds of dust that trace out the spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy. |
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