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The Pinwheel Galaxy (M101)

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HOW TO FIND

THE PINWHEEL GALAXY:

step 1
Locate the Big Dipper, part of the constellation Ursa Major.
find Hercules Cluster step one
step 2
Identify Alkaid and Mizar, the two stars that make end of the Dipper's handle (or the Great Bear's tail).
find Hercules Cluster step one
step 3
From the midpoint between these stars, draw an equidistant perpendicular line up, towards the Little Dipper or Hercules.
find Hercules Cluster step one
step 4
The Pinwheel Galaxy will be very close to the end of this line.
find Hercules Cluster step one

Now you should be face-on with one of the night sky's most spectacular views of a face-on galaxy. Think of it as a galactic staring contest that you can never win, but always relish.

NOW FIND

The Orion Nebula

Interesting Facts about the Pinwheel Galaxy

If the Milky Way Galaxy were a candy bar, the Pinwheel Galaxy would be its king-size counterpart. With its spiraling central diameter of 50,000 light years (170,000 light years from the furthest reach of its arms), the Pinwheel Galaxy is nearly double the size of our Milky Way. The Pinwheel earned its name from its orientation relative to our galaxy, which allows us to observe this spiral galaxy from a face-on perspective. This face-on spiral galaxy offers an awe-inspiring sight when viewed through a 6-inch or larger telescope

  • Located 27 million light years from Earth, the Pinwheel Galaxy is roughly 10 times as far from us as the Andromeda Galaxy.
  • Face-on spiral galaxies like the Pinwheel reveal the full beauty of their structure- like looking into the face of a flower. Also a spiral galaxy, Andromeda presents itself to us in a distinctly different panoramic view.
  • Throughout its spiral arms, the Pinwheel Galaxy boasts many bright, hot locales known as H II regions. These are the result of hydrogen gas clouds contracting under their own immense gravity, which leads to the birth of new stars.
  • The Pinwheel Galaxy is asymmetrical. Gravitation forces during a near collision with another galaxy are believed to be responsible for the galaxy's noticeably irregular shape.
  • The Pinwheel Galaxy is part of a local group of no fewer than nine galaxies, known as the M101 Group. Of these, it is the brightest.
  • Away from light pollution and in optimal viewing conditions, even telescopes as small as 4 to 6 inches are able to present the Pinwheel Galaxy's spiral arms.

    • Everything You Need to See the Pinwheel Galaxy

    Telescopes

    To fully appreciate the sweeping beauty of the Pinwheel Galaxy, we recommend at least a 6-inch telescope. Larger telescopes will deliver even greater detail, including an impressive look at the galaxy's center and individual spiral arms.

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    Telescope Eyepieces

    A complete set of quality eyepieces makes your telescope more versatile and helps you realize its full potential. Using the proper eyepieces will help you optimize the appearance of any night-sky object.

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    Telescope Accessories

    If you've made your way to the Pinwheel Galaxy, our guess is you're going to want to see even more of the universe's wonders. Check out our selection of essential accessories like power supplies and collimators to help you get there.

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    M42 & M13: courtesy of Tim Hunter and James McGaha, Grasslands Observatory at http://www.3towers.com; M31 & M45: courtesy of Herm Perez, http://home.att.net/~hermperez/default.htm; M8: courtesy of Bob Star, http://www.flickr.com/photos/52031391@N00/70287323 / CC BY 2.0

    helpful information

    2009: The International Year of Astronomy

    With the theme "The Universe, Yours to Discover," a United Nations agency is bringing astronauts, artists, scientists, academics, and others together during the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first observation of the heavens in 1609.

    Telescopes 101

    Spend some time reading these articles and you will dramatically improve your knowledge of telescopes to help you choose the one best for you.

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