The Whirlpool Galaxy is a familiar one to stargazers and among the many close galaxy neighbours to our own Milky Way. Because of its shape, it was the first galaxy to be classified as a spiral by astronomers. Today, it interests astronomers due to its spiral structure and the interaction it appears to be having with its near neighbour, M51b.

Whirlpool Galaxy Profile Designation: M51a or NGC 5194 Type: Spiral Diameter: 60,000 ly Distance: 23 Mly Mass: 160 billion M☉ Constellation: Canes Venatici

Facts about the Whirlpool Galaxy