The Whirlpool Galaxy in Dust and Stars

[Sowelu]

M51: The Whirlpool Galaxy in Dust and Stars
Credit:

[/b] N. Scoville (Caltech), T. Rector (U. Alaska, NOAO) et al., Hubble Heritage Team, NASA [/center]

Explanation: The Whirlpool Galaxy is a classic spiral galaxy. At only 30 million light years distant and fully 60 thousand light years across, M51, also known as NGC 5194, is one of the brightest and most picturesque galaxies on the sky. The above image is a digital combination of a ground-based image from the 0.9-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory and a space-based image from the Hubble Space Telescope highlighting sharp features normally too red to be seen. Anyone with a good pair of binoculars, however, can see this Whirlpool toward the constellation of Canes Venatici. M51 is a spiral galaxy of type Sc and is the dominant member of a whole group of galaxies. Astronomers speculate that M51's spiral structure is primarily due to its gravitational interaction with a smaller galaxy just off the top of this digitally sharpened image.
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antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap060219.html

[destra]

If the Light tunnel we go through upon our departure of our physical body looks anything like this, then I am eager to see it! What a beautiful galaxy, thank you Sowelu

Much Love,
Destra

[Sowelu]

It really is stunning, isn't it? It touched me so... I just had to share it here.

[destra]

No wonder it touched you Sowelu, it is also signified in your avatar picture - that is no coincidence.

It feels healing to look at this galaxy, to allow it to being to swirl and pick you up out of your physical eyes.

*HUGS*

You keep sharing these wonderful things you find, i'm always willing to gaze on them in awe!

Love,
D.