Galaxy

Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)

Also known as M51

A textbook spiral, mid-merger with a companion.

Visible tonight?

Up now · alt 26° NE

Classic grand-design spiral galaxy interacting with the smaller NGC 5195. The first galaxy recognised as having spiral structure (1845).

See also

Triangulum Galaxy (M33)

Third-largest galaxy in our Local Group.

Sombrero Galaxy (M104)

An edge-on disc with a luminous bulge.

Large Magellanic Cloud

A satellite of the Milky Way, only visible from the south.

Spiral Galaxy

A flattened disc with sweeping spiral arms.

Barred Spiral Galaxy

A spiral with a straight bar across its centre.

Elliptical Galaxy

A smooth, featureless ball of old stars.