31 million light years away sits M51, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy. Its’ distinctive shape has made it a favorite galaxy to photograph for me since I started this hobby. Originally discovered in
Our closest Galaxy neighbor is M31, the Andromeda Galaxy. It is a mere 2.5 million light years away from the Milky Way. At a dark enough site it is one of the most distant
2020 was a year of nebulae, galaxies, comets, star clusters, supernovae, and planetary conjunctions. There was little travel due to the pandemic, but the skies were active. I was able to use 2020 to
Within the constellation Virgo there are over 2000 galaxies known as the Virgo Cluster. One subgroup, near the tail of Leo, is known as Markarian’s Chain. Discovered by Armenian astrophysicist Benjamin Markarian, this string
In the constellation Leo there sits a trio of galaxies known as the M66 group. It is often referred to as the Leo Triplet. The three galaxies are M65, M66, and NGC 3628. All
M101, also known as the Pinwheel Galaxy, is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. To find it locate the star Alkaid, the last star in the handle of the Big Dipper.
M51, the Whirlpool galaxy, is great example of a spiral galaxy. The spiral arms reaching out are star formation areas, compressing hydrogen gas and creating new star clusters. It is located near Alkaid, the