One of the most famous deep sky objects. This galaxy pair lie about 15 million light years from earth. Discoved by Charles Messier in 1773 and made famous by Lord Rosse and his worlds largest telescope in 1845. Lord Rosse descibed and sketched the sprial structure, at the time it was thought that the Milky Way was the total of existence, and this might be the beginning of new solar system like our own. Too faint to be seen with out optical aid, but it is an easy object with even small telescopes. Located in the constellation Canies Venatici, it is near the end of the Big Dipper's handle.

Image Details:

Date: May 16, 2009
Telescope: Willima Optics FLT 110 Lite
Mount: Celstron CGE
Camera: Canon Rebel XT modified by Hap Griffin
Exposures: 15 x 5 minutes, ISO1600
Guiding: PHD Guide, Meade DSI Pro, Orion 80mm ST