Image 6-4
Whirlpool Galaxy Heart

This image from the Hubble Space Telescope reveal unprecedented detail in the spiral arms and dust clouds of nearby galaxy M51, the Whirlpool galaxy. Intricate structure is also seen for the first time in the dust clouds. Along the spiral arms, dust "spurs" are seen branching out almost perpendicular to the main spiral arms. The galaxy's spiral arms are the birth sites of massive, bright stars. M51 is one of the most photographed galaxies in amateur and professional astronomy. It can easily be viewed and photographed in smaller telescopes.