
- Name: Whirlpool Galaxy
- Type of Galaxy: Spiral Galaxy
- Estimated Size: 76,000 light-years (diameter)
- Estimated Stars: > 100 billion stars
- Distance from Earth: ± 23 million light-years
- Discovered: October 13, 1773
- Discovered by: Charles Messier
16 Whirlpool Galaxy Facts for Kids
- Whirlpool is a grand-design spiral galaxy in our universe.
- The Whirlpool Galaxy is also known as M51a, Messier 51a and NGC 5194.
- The Whirlpool Galaxy was discovered by Charles Messier on October 13th, 1773.
- The Whirlpool Galaxy has an estimated diameter of 76,000 light-years.
- The Whirlpool Galaxy is around 23 million light-years from Earth.
- Astronomers estimate the Whirlpool Galaxy has around 100 billion stars.
- The Whirlpool Galaxy is about 75% the size of our Milky Way Galaxy.
- The Whirlpool Galaxy is part of a small group of galaxies known as the M51 Group.
- The Whirlpool Galaxy was the first galaxy to get the classification of a spiral galaxy.
- Amateur astronomers can observe the Whirlpool Galaxy with binoculars or a small telescope.
- Whirlpool Galaxy has a companion galaxy known as NGC 5195, also known as Messier 51b and M51b.
- The Whirlpool Galaxy and its companion are one of the most popular and studied interacting galaxy pairs.
- Astronomers have witnessed three supernova events in the Whirlpool Galaxy.
- In 1994, the supernova type Ic SN 1994I occurred in Whirlpool Galaxy.
- In 2005, the supernova type II SN 2005cs occurred in the Whirlpool Galaxy.
- In 2011, the supernova type II SN 2011dh occurred in the Whirlpool Galaxy.
Whirlpool Galaxy Pictures

A beautiful photo of the Whirlpool Galaxy.Credit: NASA

A topical photo of the Whirlpool Galaxy.Credit: Lowell Observatory

An x-ray photo of the Whirlpool Galaxy.Credit: NASA
Additional Resources with Whirlpool Galaxy Facts
- Messier 51 (The Whirlpool Galaxy) – Learn more about the Whirlpool Galaxy on the NASA website.
- Whirlpool Galaxy Photos – View some amazing photos of the Whirlpool Galaxy on the CNN website.
- Whirlpool Galaxy – M51a – Discover more amazing facts about the Whirlpool Galaxy.