Took this photo on Thursday, April 20th of the grand spiral galaxy M51 along with its companion, NGC5195. These galaxies are technically located in the constellation Canes Venatici (Latin for 'hunting dogs'), but for all intents and purposes, they are just slightly to the south of the first star in the big dippers handle (Alkaid). This is not an easy target to pick out in either binoculars or small telescopes, the best you can hope for is to detect a fuzzy blob in that general vicinity, under exceptionally dark steady skies you can possibly pick up more detail. In my old 12" scope (aperature) I was able to see some of the spiral arms. However, long exposure photography reveals an entirely different wonder. This photo is a composite of 7 10 minute exposures with my canon 350d (digital rebel) and my Takahashi E-160, click on the photo for the big picture.
Note in this photo the larger spiral galaxy (M51, Messier object 51) and its companion galaxy NGC5195 (National Galactic Catalogue 5195). You can see the outer arms of M51 being tidally torn apart by this galactic flyby. This pair of galaxies is 37 million light years distant (meaning what we see today is what the galaxies looked like 37 million years ago).
All of your photos are spectacular. This one is so completely beautiful and amazing I just had to comment. Your discussions are terrific, too! There more I read, the more time I want to spend learning more and though I have no real idea where I would begin maybe one day try some very novice photos of my own. Thanks for putting together such an enjoyable page.
Posted by: Julie | April 26, 2006 at 08:11 PM
Hi Julie, Thanks! If you do take up this hobby, just remember to take baby steps, just start with star trails, aurora, meteor showers and moonscape photography (yet to be discussed). All aspects of this hobby are rewarding, from the basic to the shots requiring sleepless nights!
Posted by: John Lanoue | April 27, 2006 at 03:03 PM