Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) Facts, Type, Center, Location

The Whirlpool Galaxy, known as M51, is a design spiral galaxy located in the constellation Canes Venatici. The Whirlpool Galaxy features a striking spiral structure, an active galactic nucleus, and a companion galaxy. Learn about Whirlpool Galaxy’s facts, including its size, distance from Earth, and characteristics. Whirlpool Galaxy’s center harbors a supermassive black hole, which plays a role in shaping the galaxy’s dynamics and evolution.

The Whirlpool Galaxy spans 100,000 light-years in diameter. The galaxy contains 100 billion stars. The Whirlpool Galaxy’s mass is estimated at 160 billion solar masses. The galaxy rotates at a velocity of 200 km/s (124.274 miles/s). The Whirlpool Galaxy is moving away from Earth at a speed of 600 km/s (372.823 miles/s). Astronomers have identified 3,000 starbirth regions within the galaxy’s structure. The interaction with its companion galaxy, NGC 5195, triggers star formation and distorts the spiral arms.

The Whirlpool Galaxy is classified as a design spiral galaxy. The galaxy exhibits defined, symmetrical spiral arms packed with stars, gas, and dust. The Whirlpool Galaxy features two curving arms and is categorized as an interacting spiral galaxy. The galaxy hosts a Seyfert 2 active galactic nucleus at its center. The active galactic nucleus contains a supermassive black hole accreting material.

The center of Whirlpool Galaxy harbors a supermassive black hole named M51-ULS-1. M51-ULS-1 has an estimated mass of 70 million solar masses. A dust and gas disk surrounds the black hole, forming the galaxy’s active nucleus. Rings of dust and gas obscure direct observation of the central black hole. Scientists infer the black hole’s presence through the motion of stars and gas. X-ray emissions serve as an indicator of the black hole’s existence.

The Whirlpool Galaxy is located in the constellation Canes Venatici. The galaxy’s coordinates are right ascension 13h 29m 52.7s and declination +47° 11′ 43″. The Whirlpool Galaxy lies 27 million light-years from Earth. The galaxy’s position is north of the equator, making it visible to observers in the northern hemisphere. Whirlpool Galaxy has a magnitude of 8.4, allowing it to be seen through telescopes.

Charles Messier discovered the Whirlpool Galaxy in 1773. Messier cataloged the galaxy as M51 in his catalog published in 1784. Lord Rosse observed the galaxy’s spiral structure in 1845 using a 72-inch (182.88 cm) reflecting telescope. Messier described the Whirlpool Galaxy as a “faint nebula” with a “bright nucleus” in his catalog. Messier’s discovery marked a milestone in astronomy, bringing M51 to the attention of the wider astronomical community.

What is a Whirlpool Galaxy (m51)?

The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) is a design spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici constellation. M51 lies 27 million light-years from Earth. M51 spans 100,000 light-years in diameter. M51 features spiral arms with blue star clusters. M51 interacts with companion galaxy NGC 5195. Charles Messier discovered M51 in 1773.

The Whirlpool Galaxy is part of an interacting galaxy system. M51a represents the main spiral galaxy, while M51b (NGC 5195) is its smaller companion. The gravitational interaction between these galaxies has triggered M51’s striking spiral arms, distorted its structure, and stimulated star formation. M51’s spiral arms are density waves containing many young stars and H II regions.

Lord Rosse observed its spiral structure in the 19th century using a 72-inch reflecting telescope. M51 has a mass of 160 billion solar masses and rotates at a velocity of around 200 km/s. The galaxy is moving away from Earth at a speed of 600 km/s.

What are interesting facts about the Whirlpool Galaxy?

The Whirlpool Galaxy, known as Messier 51a or NGC 5194, lies 27 million light-years away in Canes Venatici constellation. The Seyfert 2 active galactic nucleus contains 100 billion stars and a supermassive black hole. The galaxy’s triking spiral arms result from interaction with NGC 5195, triggering new star formation. 

Interesting facts about the Whirlpool Galaxy are listed below.

• The Whirlpool Galaxy is classified as a spiral galaxy.
• The Whirlpool Galaxy was the first spiral galaxy identified by astronomers.
• M51 is another name for the Whirlpool Galaxy.
• Lord Rosse discovered the spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy in 1845 using a 1.8-meter telescope.
• A supermassive black hole resides at the center of the Whirlpool Galaxy.
• Earth-based observers have a face-on view of the Whirlpool Galaxy’s structure.
• The Whirlpool Galaxy measures 60,000 light-years in diameter.
• Scientists estimate the Whirlpool Galaxy contains 100 billion stars.
• The Whirlpool Galaxy is located 23 million light-years from Earth.
• NGC 5195 is a companion galaxy that interacts gravitationally with the Whirlpool Galaxy.
• Researchers have identified 3,000 starbirth regions within the Whirlpool Galaxy.
• Astronomers have mapped cold, dense star-forming clouds throughout the Whirlpool Galaxy’s structure.
• Astronomers can observe the Whirlpool Galaxy using a telescope.
• The face-on orientation of the Whirlpool Galaxy allows for detailed study of galactic structure and evolution.

What type of galaxy is the Whirlpool Galaxy?

The Whirlpool Galaxy is a design spiral galaxy. Messier 51a (M51a) or NGC 5194 features two curving arms of stars, gas, and dust. Located in the constellation Canes Venatici, it interacts with a smaller companion galaxy. Charles Messier discovered this spiral galaxy in 1773.

The Whirlpool Galaxy is categorized as a grand-design spiral galaxy. It exhibits defined, symmetrical spiral arms packed with stars, gas, and dust. The galaxy is classified as an interacting spiral galaxy. It undergoes gravitational interactions with its companion galaxy, NGC 5195, located to the north. This interaction triggers star formation and distorts the Whirlpool Galaxy’s spiral arms.

The Whirlpool Galaxy hosts a Seyfert 2 active galactic nucleus (AGN) at its center. The AGN contains a supermassive black hole accreting material, which heats up and emits radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum. A torus of gas and dust obscures the view of the black hole in this type of AGN.

The Whirlpool Galaxy measures 100,000 light-years in diameter. Its mass is estimated at 160 billion solar masses. The galaxy rotates at a velocity of 200 km/s. The central supermassive black hole has a mass of 70 million solar masses.

What is at the center of the Whirlpool Galaxy?

A supermassive black hole M51-ULS-1 resides at the Whirlpool Galaxy’s center.  Dust and gas disk surrounds the black hole, forming the galaxy’s active nucleus. Companion galaxy NGC 5195 connects to M51 via a dust and gas bridge. Dust occlusion hinders detailed study of the black hole.

The central black hole is obscured by a ring of dust and gas. Scientists infer its presence through the motion of stars and gas in the surrounding region. X-ray emissions from the gas swirling around the black hole serve as a key indicator of its existence. The Whirlpool Galaxy emits X-rays produced by gas accreting onto the black hole.

The center of the Whirlpool Galaxy contains a concentration of stars, gas, and dust. Gravitational forces bind the region’s contents to the supermassive black hole. Star formation and activity occur near the black hole, with young stars and star clusters forming in its vicinity. The supermassive black hole plays a role in shaping the galaxy’s structure and evolution.

How many stars are in the Whirlpool Galaxy?

Astronomers estimate the Whirlpool Galaxy contains 100 billion stars, with a 50 billion margin of error. The 2015 estimate used Hubble Space Telescope observations and Sloan Digital Sky Survey data. The galaxy spans 100,000 light-years in diameter. Star count variability factors include formation, death, and dust presence.

The Whirlpool Galaxy has a stellar mass of around 160 billion solar masses. This mass measurement serves as a factor in calculating the number of stars present. The galaxy’s spiral arms contain numerous star clusters and regions of active star formation. These features indicate the presence of many young, massive stars throughout the galaxy’s structure.

Where is the Whirlpool Galaxy located?

The Whirlpool Galaxy is located in the constellation Canes Venatici. Canes Venatici is part of the major Ursa Major constellation in the northern sky. The Whirlpool Galaxy’s coordinates are right ascension 13h 29m 52.7s and declination +47° 11′ 43″. It lies 27 million light-years from Earth.

The distance of the Whirlpool Galaxy from Earth is subject to varying estimates. Sources place it between 23 and 31 million light-years away. The cited average distance is 25 to 30 million light-years. Estimates suggest a distance of around 31 million light-years.

The Whirlpool Galaxy’s position in the night sky is north of the equator. Observers in the northern hemisphere have access to view this celestial object. The galaxy is visible through telescopes and has a bright magnitude of 8.4. Stargazers locate the Whirlpool Galaxy by finding the constellation Canes Venatici, situated between Ursa Major and Boötes.

How far is the Whirlpool Galaxy from earth?

The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) is located 31 million light years from Earth. Astronomers measured this distance using the Tully-Fisher relation and data from the Spitzer Space Telescope. M51 resides in the constellation Canes Venatici. The galaxy’s spiral arms are visible through telescopes and have been studied by the Chandra X-ray Observatory.

Can you see the Whirlpool Galaxy with a telescope?

Whirlpool Galaxy is visible through telescopes. Telescopes with 8-inch (20 cm) aperture observe the galaxy’s spiral arms and central bulge. Telescopes reveal the best details. Amateur astronomers use telescopes to view this target. Whirlpool Galaxy has an apparent magnitude of 8.4. Smaller telescopes detect it due to brightness.

Spring and summer offer good viewing conditions for the Whirlpool Galaxy in the northern hemisphere. The galaxy reaches its peak point in the sky around 10 PM during peak viewing months. Nights provide good visibility, while moonlight and light pollution hinder observations. Telescopes with magnification (100-200x) and quality eyepieces enhance the view of the galaxy’s features.

Observers will see the Whirlpool Galaxy’s bright central bulge and sweeping spiral arms through telescopes. The companion galaxy NGC 5195 is visible, showcasing the interaction between the two galaxies. Telescopes reveal star-forming regions, dust lanes, and satellite galaxies. The Whirlpool Galaxy’s magnitude of 8.4 makes it bright and a popular target for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers.

Astronomers study the Whirlpool Galaxy to understand galaxy evolution and structure. The galaxy contains hundreds of billions of stars, interstellar gas, and dust, offering insights into cosmic processes. 

Who discovered the Whirlpool Galaxy?

Charles Messier discovered the Whirlpool Galaxy in 1773. Messier cataloged it as M51 in that year. Located in Canes Venatici constellation, the galaxy’s spiral structure was observed by Lord Rosse in 1845. The Whirlpool Galaxy interacts with NGC 5195, a smaller companion galaxy.

Messier described the Whirlpool Galaxy as a “faint nebula” with a “bright nucleus” in his catalog. He recorded the object’s position and brightness, noting its location in the constellation Canes Venatici. Messier’s catalog, published in 1784, included over 100 deep-sky objects, with the Whirlpool Galaxy designated as M51.

Messier’s discovery of the Whirlpool Galaxy marked a milestone in astronomy. His observation brought M51 to the attention of the wider astronomical community. Messier’s work cemented the Whirlpool Galaxy’s place in astronomy history, making it one of the most studied galaxies in the universe.

What is the age of the Whirlpool Galaxy?

The Whirlpool Galaxy’s age is estimated at 13.6 billion years, based on its oldest stars. This age is comparable to the universe itself, making it one of the oldest galaxies. Astronomers determine galaxy ages by analyzing star light spectra, revealing chemical composition and evolutionary stages. The Whirlpool Galaxy is younger than the Milky Way’s oldest globular clusters.

The age of the Whirlpool Galaxy varies across its different components. Formations, including the prominent spiral arms and regions of active star formation, are estimated to be 400 million years old. Components of the galaxy, including stars and stellar populations, are up to 4.5 billion years old. The central galactic core is older than the spiral arms, containing ancient stellar populations.

What is the magnitude of the Whirlpool Galaxy?

Whirlpool Galaxy has an apparent visual magnitude of 8.4. Located 31 million light years away in the constellation Canes Venatici, it appears bright in the night sky. Charles Messier discovered this galaxy in 1773. Its 100,000 light-year diameter makes it a significant astrophysical study object.

What is the size of the whirlpool galaxy?

The Whirlpool Galaxy’s size diameter measures 23 kiloparsecs (d25). The Whirlpool Galaxy is large compared to many other galaxies in the universe. Scientists have studied the Whirlpool Galaxy’s size and structure over many years. Astronomers have compared the Whirlpool Galaxy’s size to numerous other galaxies.