Whirlpool Galaxy

Definition

The Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as M51, is a classic spiral galaxy located about 23 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. It is characterized by its prominent arms and interaction with its companion galaxy, NGC 5195.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Whirlpool Galaxy was the first galaxy where spiral structure was identified.
2. It has an estimated diameter of about 76,000 light-years.
3. The Whirlpool Galaxy is interacting with a smaller companion galaxy, NGC 5195.
4. Its distance from Earth is approximately 23 million light-years.
5. The galaxy's mass is estimated to be around $160\times10^9$ solar masses.

Review Questions

• What is the significance of the spiral structure observed in the Whirlpool Galaxy?
• How far is the Whirlpool Galaxy from Earth?
• What notable interaction does the Whirlpool Galaxy have with another celestial object?

Related terms

Light-year: A unit of astronomical distance equivalent to the distance that light travels in one year, approximately $9.46\times10^{12}$ kilometers.

Spiral Galaxy: A type of galaxy characterized by a flat, rotating disk containing stars, gas, and dust, along with a central concentration of stars known as the bulge.

$M_{\odot}$ (Solar Mass): $M_{\odot}$ denotes the standard unit of mass in astronomy equivalent to approximately $1.989 \times10^{30}$ kilograms, which represents the mass of our Sun.