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Name: M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy   

This imagine was taken whilst at Watson's Way Country Stay which is N/E of Mukinbudin in Western Australia.   M51 was approx @ 9 to 5 degrees above the horizon when this image was taken, hence its relatively poor definition due to the large amount of atmosphere the light had to travel throu.

http://members.westnet.com.au/watsonsway/

M51 is a "face-on" galaxy. M51 has a bright cental core but no stars can be resolved. The core likely contains a super massive black hole.  Of special interest is the bridge of nebulosity that links M51 to its companion galaxy, NGC 5195. 

Position in Sky