August Guest Post: Messier 51 — A Grand Design Spiral with a Dance Partner

Messier 51, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, is an iconic Grand Design spiral galaxy found in the constellation Canes Venatici. Located around 31 million light years away, was the first galaxy to be classified as a spiral by William Parsons in 1845. It was discovered in 1773 by Charles Messier while cataloging objects that were not comets and has since been a popular target for researchers and amateur astronomers due to its stunning spiral arm structures and interaction with a companion galaxy known as NGC 5195. M51 has been an invaluable tool in the study of star formation, the motion of galaxies, and the evolution of our Cosmos as a whole.