The M51 Group (Whirlpool & Sunflower)

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Don't often see the Whirlpool and Sunflower in the same image, but here they are.

Which is why you don't often see them together, they must be a good 6 degrees apart. Just shows the gravitational reach these galaxies have. The M51 group only has a few confirmed members.

Here are closer crops of M51 & M63.

 

The two bright stars in the corners anchoring the frame are Alkaid & Cor Caroli.

There are a ton of faint galaxies at upper right but I haven't identified the galaxy cluster yet.

Samyang 135mm f2 and Canon 6d, 30 minutes in 2 minute subs.

 

[vlaiv]

31 minutes ago, Knight of Clear Skies said:

There are a ton of faint galaxies at upper right but I haven't identified the galaxy cluster yet.

I don't think that these have special name as a cluster of galaxies - but that is edge of Virgo super cluster. Close by there is M94 / Canes I Group (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M94_Group)  but I don't think that is it - that one is outside of your image - in upper direction.

Probably just outskirts of Virgo super cluster.

[KevinPSJ]

Great image - love the colours on M51 in the close crop! I've been thinking of switching from using my DSLR at prime focus of my skywatcher 150P to using a long focal length lens on the camera so I can get longer exposures (I'm shooting unguided). This image has convinced me!

[Knight of Clear Skies]

On 09/04/2021 at 14:49, vlaiv said:

I don't think that these have special name as a cluster of galaxies - but that is edge of Virgo super cluster. Close by there is M94 / Canes I Group (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M94_Group)  but I don't think that is it - that one is outside of your image - in upper direction.

Probably just outskirts of Virgo super cluster.

Thanks vlaiv.

On 09/04/2021 at 14:52, KevinPSJ said:

Great image - love the colours on M51 in the close crop! I've been thinking of switching from using my DSLR at prime focus of my skywatcher 150P to using a long focal length lens on the camera so I can get longer exposures (I'm shooting unguided). This image has convinced me!

Thanks, glad you like it. When imaging unguided it's far easier to get results at short focal lengths, especially when using a DSLR.