M101, The PinWheel Galaxy

At a distance of 27 million light-years, M101 is about 8th magnitude, although it spans approximately 22 arc minutes in the sky.   Located in Ursa Major, this classic spiral is about 170,000 light years in diameter and has been the home of three supernovae seen in the last century.  Although the central core can be seen in small telescopes, the arms are best viewed through an 8-inch or larger instrument.

Taken March 22, 2012, with the ST-8 camera binned 2 X 2, operating on the C-14 at F:3.5, exposure was 850 seconds.

Taken May 3 with the 402 camera. Exposure is 300 seconds at F:3.5 using the focal reducer on the C-14.