Jul 31, 2009 The Birth of Stars sciencetech” /> The Whirlpool
Galaxy Photo – HUBBLE / NASA / ESA Three extraordinary
photographs from the Hubble Heritage Project reveal star
formation in compelling, multicolored beauty. Stand by to be
awestruck at the majesty of the universe. One of the most
beautiful and important star birthing grounds in the Milky Way
is the Whirlpool Galaxy, Messier 51a, (NGC 5194) 23.4 Mly
distant in the constellation Canes Venatici. (Canes Venatici are
the hunting dogs of Boötes the herdsman.) The Whirlpool Galaxy
is one of the most famous spiral galaxies known, and under
optimal viewing conditions, can be seen in high powered
binoculars. Its small companion galaxy is NGC 5195. There is a
black hole in the center of M51 as in most large spiral
galaxies. Hydrogen gas is compressed in the spiral arms and
these star birth regions appear as bright blue knots there.
Gravitationally induced compression waves sweep through hydrogen
clouds which are common in large spiral galaxies. The compressi