Pinwheel Galaxy (m101) Supernova, Facts, Type, Distance

The Pinwheel Galaxy, known as Messier 101 or NGC 5457, is a design spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. Pinwheel Galaxy spans 170,000 light-years in diameter and shines with a magnitude of 7.9. Pinwheel Galaxy gained attention in 2011 when astronomers observed a Type Ia supernova within its spiral arms, providing data for cosmic distance measurements. Learn about Pinwheel Galaxy’s structure, star-forming regions, and its role in our understanding of galactic evolution and stellar lifecycles.

The Pinwheel Galaxy hosted two supernovae in recent years. SN 2011fe occurred on August 24, 2011, discovered by the Palomar Transient Factory using the Samuel Oschin Telescope. SN 2015a took place on May 19, 2015, contributing to our understanding of stellar explosions within the galaxy.

This makes  it twice the diameter of the Milky Way and 70% larger overall. The galaxy contains over one trillion stars scattered throughout its four distinct spiral arms, which feature star clusters and H II regions.

M101 is classified as a face-on, counterclockwise spiral galaxy, with a barred structure. Its proximity and orientation make it a target for both professional astronomers and astrophotographers. The galaxy’s spiral arms contain star-forming regions, while its bulge houses older, redder stars of an evolved galactic core.

The Pinwheel Galaxy resides 21 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. This distance allows for detailed astronomical studies of the galaxy’s structure and evolution. Methods, including the Tully-Fisher relation, Cepheid variable stars, and supernovae observations, have been used to calculate this distance.

Pierre Méchain, an astronomer and colleague of Charles Messier, discovered the Pinwheel Galaxy on March 27, 1781. Charles Messier verified the galaxy’s position and included it in his catalog as M101, publishing it in 1784. Max Wolf made contributions to understanding the Pinwheel Galaxy in 1909, using a 16-inch refracting telescope at Heidelberg Observatory to reveal its distinctive spiral structure and star-forming regions.

What is Pinwheel Galaxy (m101)?

Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) is a counterclockwise spiral galaxy located in Ursa Major constellation. M101 resides 21 million light-years from Earth. Galaxy spans 170,000 light-years in diameter. M101 features four distinct spiral arms with star clusters and H II regions. Galaxy contains over 1 trillion stars. M101 is known as NGC 5457 and Messier 101.

The Pinwheel Galaxy measures 170,000 light-years in diameter, compared to our Milky Way Galaxy’s 100,000 light-year diameter. M101 is situated about 21 million light-years from Earth. The galaxy exhibits a high rate of star formation, with stars and star clusters scattered throughout its spiral arms. M101’s bulge contains older, redder stars, indicating an evolved region of the galaxy.

Astronomer Pierre Méchain discovered the Pinwheel Galaxy in 1781. Charles Messier cataloged the object as M101. Astronomers have studied the Pinwheel Galaxy to gain insights into spiral galaxy structure and evolution. M101’s proximity and face-on orientation make it a target for both professional astronomers and astrophotographers.

When did the m101 supernova occur?

M101 supernova SN 2011fe occurred in 2011. Palomar Transient Factory discovered SN 2011fe on August 24, 2011 using the Samuel Oschin Telescope. Astronomers estimate SN 2011fe exploded around August 4, 2011. Another M101 supernova, SN 2015a, occurred on May 19, 2015. Both supernovae were hosted by the Pinwheel Galaxy (M101).

What are pinwheel galaxy facts?

Pinwheel Galaxy M101 is a swirling spiral galaxy. Scientists find it 21 million light-years in the northern hemisphere sky. Galaxy measures 170,000 light-years across. Astronomers estimate its age at 13.6 billion years. Small telescopes or binoculars reveal the Pinwheel Galaxy at night. Hundreds of billions of stars compose the galaxy.

Pinwheel galaxy facts are outlined below.

• The Pinwheel Galaxy (M101)is a spiral-shaped galaxy located about 21 million light-years from Earth, classified as a face-on and counterclockwise spiral galaxy, possibly a barred spiral.
• The Pinwheel Galaxy (Messier 101) is observed in the constellation Ursa Major, visible with binoculars or telescopes, filling a sky area one-fifth the size of the full moon.
• The Pinwheel Galaxy (NGC 5457) measures 170,000 light-years across, making it twice the diameter of the Milky Way and 70% larger overall.
• The Pinwheel Galaxy is estimated to contain more than a trillion stars within its expanse.
• The Pinwheel Galaxy features spiral arms with star-forming nebulae, offering insights into galactic evolution and structure.
• The Pinwheel Galaxy’s proximity to Earth allows detailed astronomical studies, being considered “close” at 21 million light-years away.

How many stars are in the pinwheel galaxy?

The Pinwheel Galaxy, known as Messier 101, contains 1 trillion stars. Astronomers estimate this number using data from the Hubble Space Telescope, Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and Galaxy Evolution Explorer. The Pinwheel Galaxy measures 170,000 light-years across, twice the size of the Milky Way. Its trillion stars serve as a benchmark for galaxy complexity.

What is the age of the pinwheel galaxy?

The Pinwheel Galaxy is 13.6 billion years old. Astronomers estimate it formed 400 million years after the Big Bang. The Pinwheel Galaxy is 20 million years older than the Milky Way, which has an estimated age of 13.58 billion years. Determining a galaxy’s age presents challenges for astronomers. Observations of stellar populations and other galactic characteristics contribute to age estimates. The Pinwheel Galaxy’s age makes it one of the galaxies in the local universe. Its location 25 million light-years away from Earth allows astronomers to study its structure and evolution in detail. The galaxy’s advanced age and proximity make it an important target for research into galaxy formation and star formation processes.

What is the size of the pinwheel galaxy?

Pinwheel Galaxy measures 170,000 light-years across. Spiral structure spans twice the diameter of the Milky Way galaxy. Galaxy contains over 1 trillion stars, double the Milky Way’s population. Face-on orientation reveals central bulge and spiral arms. Estimated mass reaches 100 billion solar masses.

What type of galaxy is the pinwheel galaxy?

The Pinwheel Galaxy is a spiral galaxy, known as Messier 101 (M101). Hubble Space Telescope captured resolution images revealing its six distinct spiral arms. M101 measures 170,000 light-years in diameter. Hubble sequence classifies it as a face-on Sc galaxy with structure. M101 is located 21 million light-years from Earth in the Ursa Major constellation.

How far is the pinwheel galaxy from earth?

The Pinwheel Galaxy exists 25 million light-years from Earth. Distance calculations use methods including Tully-Fisher relation, Cepheid variable stars, and supernovae observations. Astronomers consider this distance close on a cosmic scale. Studies of the galaxy’s structure and evolution are possible due to its proximity.

Can you see the pinwheel galaxy through the telescope?

Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) is observed through small telescopes. M101 is located in the constellation Ursa Major. Telescopes with 80-100 mm aperture provide good viewing. 150-200 mm telescopes reveal more galaxy structure details. Dark skies and clear weather enhance visibility. M101 is viewed at 10 PM in June, positioned 1° north of star Alkaid.

Sky locations improve the Pinwheel Galaxy view. Light pollution hinders visibility of this 7.9 magnitude object located 21-25 million light-years away.

Telescopes with 8-inch or greater apertures reveal the most detail. Viewers see the galaxy’s spiral arms, dust lanes, and central bulge at these apertures.

Low to medium magnification works for observing the Pinwheel Galaxy. Field eyepieces capture the 16 arcminute span of this face-on spiral.

Th averted vision technique enhances the Pinwheel Galaxy view. Looking to the side of the galaxy brings out fainter details in its 170,000 light-year diameter structure. Star clusters and nebulae within the spiral arms can be visible during observation.

Where is the pinwheel galaxy located?

The Pinwheel Galaxy, designated M101, is located in the constellation Ursa Major. M101 lies 25 million light-years from Earth in the northern sky. Pierre Méchain discovered the Pinwheel Galaxy in 1781. Charles Messier included it in his catalog of deep-sky objects. Astronomers study M101 due to its prominence.

Who discovered the Pinwheel galaxy?

Pierre Méchain discovered the Pinwheel galaxy (M101) on March 27, 1781. Méchain was a French astronomer and colleague of Charles Messier. Messier included the Pinwheel galaxy in his catalog of deep-sky objects. The discovery expanded understanding of the universe beyond the Milky Way. Astronomers refer to it as Messier 101 or NGC 5457.

Charles Messier verified the galaxy’s position and included it in his catalog of deep-sky objects. Messier designated the Pinwheel Galaxy as M101 in his catalog published in 1784. The catalog contained 103 objects, with M101 being one of the last entries.

Max Wolf made contributions to understanding the Pinwheel Galaxy in 1909y. Wolf used a 16-inch refracting telescope at the Heidelberg Observatory to study M101. His observations revealed the galaxy’s distinctive spiral structure and star-forming regions. Wolf estimated the galaxy’s distance to be 2.5 million light-years, though measurements place it at 21 million light-years from Earth.

When was the Pinwheel galaxy discovered?

Pierre Méchain discovered the Pinwheel galaxy on June 25, 1781. Méchain collaborated with Charles Messier on deep-sky object catalogs. Messier later added the Pinwheel galaxy, known as M101, to his catalog. M101 is located 21 million light-years in the Ursa Major constellation. M101 has a 7.9 apparent magnitude.