M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy
The Whirlpool Galaxy is about 25 million light years from Earth. It was the first galaxy to be identified as a spiral, easily seen in photographs and large telescopes since it presents a face-on view to Earth.
8 x 2min luminosity exposures
8 x 2min darks
SBIG ST-8300M cooled CCD camera
Orion 8" F/3.9 Newtonian
Shot and processed with Nebulosity
Shot May 28, 2017, Santa Cruz Mountains, California
