The Whirlpool Galaxy is a classic spiral galaxy. The smaller galaxy appearing here below and to the left is well behind M 51, as can be inferred by the dust in a foreground spiral arm blocking light from this smaller galaxy. The Whirlpool, pictured above , is visible with binoculars in the constellation of Canes Venaciti . M51 is a spiral galaxy of type Sc and is the dominant member of a whole group of galaxies. Astronomers speculate that M51's spiral structure is primarily due to its gravitational interaction with this smaller galaxy.
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