The Whirlpool Galaxy is the prototype of a grand-design spiral galaxy seen face-on. It lies with its smaller, yellowish companion in the Canes Venatici constellation, about 31 million light-years away.
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| The Whirlpool Galaxy (or M51 or NGC 5194) in all its glory, with the companion galaxy NGC 5195 (top right). Credit: NASA, ESA, S. Beckwith (STScI), and The Hubble Heritage Team STScI/AURA) |
