M101 Pinwheel Galaxy
Image information:
| Date: | 06/01/2008 |
| Equipment: | SBIG ST2000XM with CFW8a and Astronomik type 2c LRGB filter set through WO ZS105ED telescope on Losmandy GM8 mount. WO ZS105ED working at f7. |
| Image type: | LRGB |
| Exposure time: | 11X6min Luminance binned 1X1, RG&B 5X4min each binned 2X2. |
| Comment: |
Object information:
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Object designations: |
M101, NGC5457, some parts of M101 have their own NGC numbers, Pinwheel Galaxy |
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Object type: |
Spiral Galaxy |
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Object size: |
22' |
| Constellation: | Ursa Major |
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Comment: |
M101 is the most prominent galaxy in a group of at least 9 galaxies, called M101 Group. M101 is a spiral galaxy with asymmetric structure. M101 is also noted for more than 3000 star forming regions (HIII regions) spread across its arms. Largest of them can be seen on the image as areas of pinkish hue. M101 also has lots of clusters of bluish young stars (in areas where star formation has already mostly finished). Both its asymmetrical structure and HIII regions are result of close encounter with one of the neighboring galaxies. Gravitational tidal waves have disturbed the arms of the M101 and also caused compression of hydrogen gas in the star forming areas. M101 is a very large galaxy, it has a diameter of 170kly (twice the size of our galaxy). Its distance is about 24Mly. |
Related images:
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List of related images: |
M101, OSC, Moravian C1+ 12000A through APM/LZOS 105/650 APO telescope |