M101 is also known as the Pinwheel Galaxy first discovered by Pierre Mechain in 1781. This delicate looking object can be found in the constellation of Ursa Major. I have visualized it many times in my 12.5 Obsession dobsonian telescope as it is easy to locate. Due to is lopsided appearance, Halton Arp has included M101 as No. 26 in his Catalogue of Peculiar Galaxies as a "Spiral with One Heavy Arm".
