Messier 51 (M51, NGC 5194) is the famous “Whirlpool” galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. It is one of the most conspicuous and best-known spiral galaxies in the sky. M 51 is interacting with its much smaller neighbor, NGC 5195. The Whirlpool Galaxy is at a distance of 28 Million (28,000,000) Light Years. Also in the picture is IC 4277 Galaxy right below the M51 and also IC 4263 Galaxy on the top of M51.