Whirlpool Galaxy Facts
Whirlpool Galaxy Facts
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Interesting Whirlpool Galaxy Facts: |
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In 1845, the spiral structure of the galaxy was discovered by astronomer William Parsons, who noticed the Whirlpool and M51b with his telescope at Birr, Ireland. |
The two galaxies have already passed by or through each other once as the merger continues to take place. |
The M51b is smaller and has been severely disrupted by the interaction, and the arms of the Whirlpool are distorted. |
The interaction is causing huge bursts of starbirth in the Whirlpool Galaxy. |
The galaxy has a supermassive black hole at its center and is surrounded by clouds of dust, or a dust ring. The core is quite active and causes the galaxy what astronomers call a "Seyfert galaxy", which is one of the two largest groups of active galaxies, along with quasars. |
A second ring crosses the primary ring on a different axis, which is unusual. |
The companion of the Whirlpool, M51b or NGC 5195, is a dwarf galaxy. Since it is being taken apart by the interaction with the Whirlpool, it cannot be easily classified, but appears as an irregular galaxy. |
A bridge of dust and gas connect the two galaxies together as they merge. |
The Whirlpool Galaxy is about 23 million light years from the Milky Way and its diameter is approximately 60,000 light years. |
The Whirlpool Galaxy is also known as Messier 51a, M51a, or NGC 5194. It, and its companion galaxy together, is sometimes referred to as simply M51. |
The galaxy is often used by astronomers to further understand and learn about galaxy structure and galaxy interactions. |
The Whirlpool Galaxy is visible through binoculars under dark sky conditions, and more detail can be seen with modern amateur telescopes. |
The galaxy is about 35% the size of the Milky Way galaxy. |
The center part of the Whirlpool Galaxy appears to be undergoing a period of enhanced star formation, which is estimated to last no more another 100 million years. |
Three supernovas have been discovered in the Whirlpool Galaxy as of February, 2016. |
The Whirlpool Galaxy is the brightest galaxy in the M51 group, which includes several other galaxies. |
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