Galaxy · Canes Venatici
Whirlpool Galaxy
M51
Image story
What to look for
Look for the two-way pull between the spiral pattern of M51 and its smaller companion; the wide field keeps both galaxies in one frame.
A face-on spiral galaxy and its smaller companion, shown in the first-light session for the longer focal length EdgeHD 8 setup.
Copyright David Musser. All rights reserved. Reference viewing only. Written permission is required for printing, publishing, selling, copying, or reuse. Read the full rights and licensing details.
Prints and licensing Sky map Read the first-light storyImage notes
Capture lesson
The related field note centers on the first-light session with the longer focal length EdgeHD 8 setup.
Context source: Gallery acquisition record + first-light field noteCapture recipe
How this frame was made
Celestron EdgeHD 8; 0.7x reducer · ZWO ASI2600MC Pro · ZWO AM5 · Filters: None · 203 x 300s subs · 16h 55m integration
View acquisition record
- Type
- Galaxy
- Catalog
- M51
- Region
- Canes Venatici
- Captured
- April 13, 2026
- Image size
- 2000 x 1500
- RA
- 202.5287°
- Dec
- 47.2072°
- FOV
- 0.2911 x 0.2182°
- Rotation
- 82.6°
- Optics
- Celestron EdgeHD 8; 0.7x reducer
- Camera
- ZWO ASI2600MC Pro
- Mount
- ZWO AM5
- Filters
- None
- Sub-exposures
- 203 x 300s
- Integration
- 16h 55m
- Sky
- Florida Bortle 6
- Software
- PixInsight
Scale context
Recorded field of view
The recorded frame is about 0.6 full-Moon widths across its long edge.
Calculation note: recorded FOV ÷ 0.5° apparent full-Moon diameter. This describes the captured field, not the physical size or distance of the object.More in the field
Related images
Same sky, different rig
Whirlpool through two focal lengths
Both frames are M51. The RedCat 61 keeps more surrounding sky in view; the EdgeHD 8 resolves a tighter portrait. The comparison is about framing and capture context, not a quality ranking.
