M51, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, is a beautiful example of a type Sc spiral galaxy. M51 is located in the constellation of Canes Venatici and is oriented nearly face-on as viewed from earth. The smaller galaxy, NGC 5195 is gravitationally bound to M51 into which it will eventually merge. M51 is located approximately 37 million light-years from earth.

Image capture and processing information:

Date/Location: February 18, 2007 Lake Sonoma, Sonoma County, California
Instrument: SBIG ST-2000XCM through an Orion 6 inch Newtonian reflector
Focal Ratio: f5.0
Guiding: Self-Guiding camera
Conditions: Visually clear
Weather: 50 F, moderate breeze
Exposure: 20 minute single exposure
Processing: Focused and captured with CCDOPS. Image processed using CCDOPS and Adobe Photoshop CS2