Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)
The Whirlpool Galaxy, known as M51 in Charles Messiers catalogue, was discovered 1773. This spiral galaxy shines at 8.4mag from a distance of 15 million lightyears in the constallation of Canes Venatici. The main object ist interacting with its companian, NGC 5194.
This image shows the famous spiral galaxy in field of about 3°x3° with various background galaxies. North is left in this image.
Details
Telescope:
Takahashi FSQ-106EDX III
Mount:
ASA DDM85
Camera:
Andor CG16M
Filters:
Astrodon Gen2
Exposure:
LRGB 220:190:180:170 min.
Location:
ROSA Remote Observatories Southern Alps
Author:
© Martin Rusterholz, Astrophotographer


Hello, my name is Martin Rusterholz. I’m a Swiss amateur astrophotographer living near Zurich, the biggest town in Switzerland. My interest in astronomy started when I was 16. At that time, I built my first Newtonian telescope and mount. I studied physics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) which was the only study including at least some aspects of astronomy and astrophysics.
“Looking at the nights sky is an experience touching everybody deeply inside, something common to all human beings independent to the language spoken by the individuals”.
Deep-sky astrophotography is my passion.