Messier 101, 'The Pinwheel
Galaxy' + tiny friends
(members of the M101 group)
Object type: spiral galaxy (Sc)
Size: ~ 22'
Visual Brightness:~ 7.9
Constellation: Ursa Major
Date: 2007-04-08
Location: Postalm/ Austria (1300m)
Telescope: TMB 80/480
(3.1" Apo f=480mm)
Camera: Starlight XPress SXV-H9
Image type: L
Binning: 1x1
Exposure time: L 14x10' = 1h 20
Discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781.
M101 was discovered by Pierre Méchain on March 27, 1781, and added as one of the last entries in Charles Messier's catalog. Although extended 22 arc minutes on photos and quite bright, only the central region of this galaxy is visible in smaller telescopes, best at low powers. Suggestions of the spiral arms can be glimpsed in telescopes starting from 4 inch as nebulous patches.