- GALAXIES
- INFRARED WORLD
- INTERACTING GALAXIES
- MILKY WAY
- STAR BIRTH
- STAR DEATH
- GALAXIES
- INFRARED WORLD
- INTERACTING GALAXIES
- MILKY WAY
- STAR BIRTH
- STAR DEATH
Interacting Galaxies
Whirlpool Galaxy M51
![As each slider bar is manipulated, the view transitions from visible light to infrared light. In visible light: The Whirlpool Galaxy is a spiral interacting with a small companion. In infrared light: The dusty spokes in M51 are easily seen in infrared light.](/assets/sliders/interacting_galaxies/whirlpool_galaxy_m51/ssc2004-19a1-Vis-403162dcf4e549c182527de7893ae6667425608dbc07ada2b8b718563d7dca75.jpg)
![As each slider bar is manipulated, the view transitions from visible light to infrared light. In visible light: The Whirlpool Galaxy is a spiral interacting with a small companion. In infrared light: The dusty spokes in M51 are easily seen in infrared light.](/assets/sliders/interacting_galaxies/whirlpool_galaxy_m51/ssc2004-19a2-IR-12dd9b764deb0b0cb256bb2154591a8e8a27b5f982ba87c8e5baf03eafe0cd4f.jpg)
Visible:
Default View
Infrared:
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Whirlpool Galaxy M51
The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) shows unusually regular spiral arms even though it is clearly interacting with a smaller companion to the left, a process that often distorts spiral structure. Infrared light reveals the intriguing dust lanes in the Whirlpool, which exhibit unusual spoke-like patterns between the arms. These spokes may be caused by the gravitational interaction with its dust-free companion galaxy.
Visible:
The Whirlpool Galaxy is a spiral interacting with a small companion.
Infrared:
The dusty spokes in M51 are easily seen in infrared light.
CREDITS:
Visible: Kitt Peak National Observatory 2.1m Telescope. Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Kennicutt (Univ. of Arizona).