M51 is a face-on grand-design spiral interacting with its companion NGC 5195. Pink H II regions trace the arms; a faint tidal bridge reaches toward the companion.
Date
2 September 2026
Location
Jura Mountains, Switzerland
Acquisition
36 × 180 s, gain 100, −10 °C · 2026-09-02
Equipment
Celestron EdgeHD 8, ZWO ASI2600MC Pro, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro
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