Discovered in 1773, by Charles Messier and designated M51, its companion galaxy ngc5159 was discovered in 1781 by Pierre Méchain. It was not until 1845 that William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, using a 72-inch reflector at Birr Castle in Ireland saw the spiral structure, the first
nebula to be known to have one.
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galaxy m51 whirlpool in canes venatici
700d + pn208 34x180s @ ISO800 |
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| Parsons' drawing |
