Description

M51 The Whirlpool Spiral Galaxy photos, also known as NGC-5194,
Two colliding Galaxies in the Constellation of Canes Venatici,
a few degrees from the end star in handle of the Big Dipper.
The smaller companion that M51 is colliding with is galaxy NGC-5195.
M51 sits at 23 Million Light Years away. this is a 17 hour exposure through my 16″ scope & Qhy8 Cooled CCD camera & Modified Canon Rebel Xsi captured in 2010 & 2011.

I can see lots of dust lane structure running through the tidal tail as well as lots of faint background galaxies behind the tidal tail!