M51 Whirlpool Galaxy in Canes Venatici. A classic spiral galaxy that is tearing apart its neighbor galaxy! This pair can be found just below the handle of the "big dipper". The spiral structure was described in 1845 by Lord Rosse of Ireland . AP 178 f/9 , Canon 10D ISO 1600. This picture contains a newly discovered supernova at about the 5 o'clock position. Stack of 10x 5min images . Summit County, CO April 2006.