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| The Messier 51 Group - M51A or NGC 5194 - interacting grand design spiral galaxy - and dwarf galaxy M 51B or NGC 5195- in the Constellation Canes Venatici - COAST Robotic Telescope -telescope.org -Open University - credit: Pip Stakkert. |
" Two galaxies Messier 51A and the smaller NGC 5195 are interacting gravitationally and as a result creating star formation in the core area of M51. Both galaxies are estimated to be 25 million light years distant from Earth. The accentuated spiral structure of the Whirlpool Galaxy is thought to be the result of direct interaction between it and its companion galaxy NGC 5195, which may have passed through the main disk of Messier 51 about 500 - 600 million years ago. In this hypothesis, NGC 5195 came from behind Messier 51 through the disk towards the observer and made another crossing as recently as 50 - 100 million years ago. Currently, NGC 5195 is believed to be slightly behind Messier 51. A number of supernovae have been observed in M51." - Kurt Thrust - acting CEO and current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.
Credit : Wikipedia
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