Object Name:

M51, NGC 5194, Whirlpool Galaxy

Object Description:

Face-on Spiral Galaxy with Companion

Instrument:

WFPC2

Date of Observation:

January 15/24, 1995; July 21, 1999

Exposure Time:

5.7 hours

Filters:

Prop 7375: F439W (B), F555W (V), F656N (Ha), F814W (I)

Proposal Information:

The release image of M51 was created from WFPC2 archived HST data from science programs by N. Scoville (Prop 7375), H. Ford (Prop 5123), and R. Kirshner (Prop 5777). HST data have been superimposed onto BVRI and Ha ground-based data, taken by Travis Rector (NOAO) at the 0.9 meter telescope located on Kitt Peak, Tucson, AZ (NOAO/AURA/NSF).

Image Credit:

NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)