M101

Spiral Galaxy

 

Object M101 -- Spiral Galaxy
Constellation Ursa Major
Date Aquired 03/23/2004 & 04/15/2004
Camera ST-2000 with CFW-8
Exposure 18x10Min L(1x1), 6X20Min Ha (1x1), 5X10Min R (2x2), 5X5Min G (2x2), 6X8Min B (2x2)
Telescope Takahashi FS-102 @ f/5.9
Mount Losmandy G11

 

M101 is a very large galaxy, at 170,000 light years in diameter.  It is also quite asymmetrical, leading it to be placed in Halton Arp's "Catalogue of Peculiar Galaxies" as a "Spiral with One Heavy Arm."  M101 lies about 27 million light years away, and is rich in red, star forming nebulae.

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