Jon Christensen is the author of this image of the galaxy M51 in Canes Venatici. This is possible the best ever picture taken to this galaxy from an Earth facility, (that is, excluding Hubble space telescope). His equipment is a 12 1/2" F/9 of Ritchey-Chretien design made by RC Optical Systems. M51 is also known as the Whirlpool galaxy and NGC 5194. It is possible to spot it through binoculars near Big Dipper constellation.

by Jon Christensen on 2009-06-03 01:43:48 [Original Size] - [Next Image] - [Author's gallery]