The Whirlpool Galaxy, was discovered in 1774 by Charles Messier, and is designated as M51. Its companion galaxy, NGC 5195, was discovered in 1781 by Pierre Mechain. It was however not until 1845 that the Whirlpool became the first to be recognized as a spiral. This was achieved by Lord Rosse employing a 72-inch (~1.83 m) reflecting telescope which he constructed at Birr Castle, Ireland.
Approximately 23 million light-years in the constellation Canes Venatici.
Ottica : Newton 250 F5 Geoptik con Paracorr
Montatura: Losmandy G-11 contr. da FS 2
CCD: Sbig ST 2000 XM+CFW8
Luogo di ripresa: Leonforte- Assoro ( Enna) / Monte soro- (Nebrodi)
Data: 20-05-06 / 21-04-07
Tempo :L. 27 x 600 sec. bin 1 / RGB: 40 min a canale bin.2
Submitted by: Giuseppe Petralia (Giuseppe Petralia)
Location: Leonforte- Assoro ( Enna) / Monte soro- (Nebrodi)-siciòy
