| Pinwheel Galaxy | |
|---|---|
 The Pinwheel Galaxy, as taken by Hubble Space Telescope | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Ursa Major |
| Right ascension | 14h 03m 12.5441s[1] |
| Declination | +54° 20′ 56.220″[1] |
| Redshift | 0.000804 |
| Heliocentric radial velocity | 241 ± 2 km/s |
| Distance | 21.6 ± 0.28 Mly (6.644 ± 0.087 Mpc)[1] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 7.9[2] |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | SAB(rs)cd HII[1] |
| Number of stars | 1 trillion (1012)[4] |
| Size | 252,000 ly (77.31 kpc) (diameter; 4050 Å high surface brightness level)[1][3] |
| Apparent size (V) | 28.8′ × 26.9′[1] |
| Other designations | |
| Messier 101, M101, IRAS 14013+5435, NGC 5457, Arp 26, UGC 8981, MCG +09-23-028, PGC 50063, CGCG 272-021, VV 456 | |
The Pinwheel Galaxy (also known as Messier 101, M101 or NGC 5457) is a face-on, counterclockwise intermediate spiral galaxy located 21 million light-years (6.4 megaparsecs)[5] from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781[a] and was communicated that year to Charles Messier, who verified its position for inclusion in the Messier Catalogue as one of its final entries.
On February 28, 2006, NASA and the European Space Agency released a very detailed image of the Pinwheel Galaxy, which was the largest and most detailed image of a galaxy by Hubble Space Telescope at the time.[10] The image was composed of 51 individual exposures, plus some extra ground-based photos.
Discovery
Pierre Méchain, the discoverer of the galaxy, described it as a "nebula without star, very obscure and pretty large, 6' to 7' in diameter, between the left hand of Bootes and the tail of the great Bear. It is difficult to distinguish when one illuminates the [grating] wires."[11]
William Herschel wrote in 1784 that the galaxy was one of several which "...in my 7-, 10-, and 20-feet [focal length] reflectors shewed a mottled kind of nebulosity, which I shall call resolvable; so that I expect my present telescope will, perhaps, render the stars visible of which I suppose them to be composed."[11]
Lord Rosse observed the galaxy in his 72-inch-diameter Newtonian reflector during the second half of the 19th century. He was the first to make extensive note of the spiral structure and made several sketches.[11]
Though the galaxy can be detected with binoculars or a small telescope, to observe the spiral structure in a telescope without a camera requires a fairly large instrument, very dark skies, and a low-power eyepiece.[12]
Structure and composition
M101 is a large galaxy, with a diameter of 252,000 light-years. By comparison, the Milky Way has a diameter of 87,400 light-years.[13] It has around a trillion stars.[4] It has a disk mass on the order of 100 billion solar masses, along with a small central bulge of about 3 billion solar masses.[14] Its characteristics can be compared to those of Andromeda Galaxy.
M101 has a high population of H II regions, many of which are very large and bright. H II regions usually accompany the enormous clouds of high density molecular hydrogen gas contracting under their own gravitational force where stars form. H II regions are ionized by large numbers of extremely bright and hot young stars; those in M101 are capable of creating hot superbubbles.[15] In a 1990 study, 1,264 H II regions were cataloged in the galaxy.[16] Three are prominent enough to receive New General Catalogue numbers—NGC 5461, NGC 5462, and NGC 5471.[17]
M101 is asymmetrical due to the tidal forces from interactions with its companion galaxies. These gravitational interactions compress interstellar hydrogen gas, which then triggers strong star formation activity in M101's spiral arms that can be detected in ultraviolet images.[18]
In 2001, the X-ray source P98, located in M101, was identified as an ultra-luminous X-ray source—a source more powerful than any single star but less powerful than a whole galaxy—using the Chandra X-ray Observatory. It received the designation M101 ULX-1. In 2005, Hubble and XMM-Newton observations showed the presence of an optical counterpart, strongly indicating that M101 ULX-1 is an X-ray binary.[19] Further observations showed that the system deviated from expected models—the black hole is just 20 to 30 solar masses, and consumes material (including captured stellar wind) at a higher rate than theory suggests.[20]
It is estimated that M101 has about 150 globular clusters,[21] the same as the number of the Milky Way's globular clusters.
Companion galaxies
M101 has six prominent companion galaxies: NGC 5204, NGC 5474, NGC 5477, NGC 5585, UGC 8837 and UGC 9405.[22] As stated above, the gravitational interaction between it and its satellites may have spawned its grand design pattern. The galaxy has probably distorted the second-listed companion.[22] The list comprises most or all of the M101 Group.[23][24][25][26]
Supernovae and luminous red nova
Six supernovae have been recorded in M101:
- SN 1909A (type unknown, mag. 10) was discovered by Max Wolf on 21 February 1909.[27][28]
- SN 1951H (type unknown, mag. 17.5) was discovered by Milton Humason on a photographic plate taken on 3 February 1951.[29][30] Analysis of the light curve suggested that the supernova was probably of Type II, with maximum magnitude of 11 to 12 occurring around October 1950.[29]
- SN 1970G (Type II, mag. 11.5) was discovered by Miklós Lovas on 30 July 1970.[31][32][33]
- SN 2011fe (Type Ia, mag. 17.2) was discovered by the Palomar Transient Factory on 24 August 2011.[34] Initially designated PTF 11kly, it reached visual magnitude 9.9 at its peak, making it the brightest supernova of 2011.[35][36][37]
- M101 OT2015-1 (also known as AT 2015dl), a luminous red nova, was discovered by Dumitru Ciprian Vîntdevară on 10 February 2015.[38][39]
- SN 2023ixf (Type II, mag. 14.9) was discovered by Kōichi Itagaki on 19 May 2023, and immediately classified as a Type II supernova.[40]
-
Type Ia supernova SN 2011fe from August 2011 -
Type II supernova SN 2023ixf from May 2023
See also
- List of Messier objects
- Messier 74 – Face-on spiral galaxy in the constellation Pisces – a similar face-on spiral galaxy
- Messier 83 – Galaxy in the constellation Hydra – a similar face-on spiral galaxy that is sometimes called the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
- Messier 99 – Galaxy in the constellation Coma Berenices – a similar face-on spiral galaxy
- Triangulum Galaxy – Spiral galaxy in the constellation Triangulum – another galaxy sometimes called the Pinwheel Galaxy
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "NED results for object MESSIER 101". NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ "Messier 101". SEDS Messier Catalog. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ Vorontsov-Velyaminov, B. A.; Krasnogorskaya, A. A. (1994). "VizieR Online Data Catalog: Morphological Cat. Of Gal. (MCG) (Vorontsov-Velyaminov+, 1962-1974)". Vizier Online Data Catalog. Bibcode:1994yCat.7062....0V.
- ^ a b Plait, Phil (2006-02-28). "Hubble delivers again: M101". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
- ^ a b Shappee, Benjamin; Stanek, Kris (June 2011). "A New Cepheid Distance to the Giant Spiral M101 Based on Image Subtraction of Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys Observations". Astrophysical Journal. 733 (2): 124. arXiv:1012.3747. Bibcode:2011ApJ...733..124S. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/733/2/124. S2CID 121792901.
- ^ R. W. Sinnott, ed. (1988). The Complete New General Catalogue and Index Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters by J. L. E. Dreyer. Sky Publishing Corporation / Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-933346-51-2.
- ^ "Distance Results for Messier 101". NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
- ^ "M 101". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
- ^ Gil de Paz, Armando; Boissier, Samuel; Madore, Barry F.; Seibert, Mark; et al. (December 2007). "The GALEX Ultraviolet Atlas of Nearby Galaxies". The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. 173 (2): 185–255. arXiv:astro-ph/0606440. Bibcode:2007ApJS..173..185G. doi:10.1086/516636. S2CID 119085482.
- ^ "Hubble's Largest Galaxy Portrait Offers a New High-Definition View". NASA. 28 February 2006. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Hartmut Frommert. "Messier 101". SEDS Messier Database. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
- ^ "M 101". Messier Objects Mobile — Charts, Maps & Photos. 2016-10-11. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
- ^ Goodwin, S. P.; Gribbin, J.; Hendry, M. A. (August 1998). "The relative size of the Milky Way". The Observatory. 118: 201–208. Bibcode:1998Obs...118..201G.
- ^ Comte, G.; Monnet, G. & Rosado, M. (1979). "An optical study of the galaxy M 101 - Derivation of a mass model from the kinematic of the gas". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 72: 73–81. Bibcode:1979A&A....72...73C.
- ^ Immler, Stefan & Wang, Q. Daniel (2001). "ROSAT X-Ray Observations of the Spiral Galaxy M81". The Astrophysical Journal. 554 (1): 202. arXiv:astro-ph/0102021. Bibcode:2001ApJ...554..202I. doi:10.1086/321335. S2CID 15398333.
- ^ Hodge, Paul W.; Gurwell, Mark; Goldader, Jeffrey D.; Kennicutt, Robert C. Jr. (August 1990). "The H II regions of M101. I - an atlas of 1264 emission regions". Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. 73: 661–670. Bibcode:1990ApJS...73..661H. doi:10.1086/191483.
- ^ Giannakopoulou-Creighton, J.; Fich, M.; Wilson, C. D. (1999). "Star formation in the giant HII regions of M101". The Astrophysical Journal. 522 (1): 238–249. arXiv:astro-ph/9903334. Bibcode:1999ApJ...522..238G. doi:10.1086/307619. S2CID 6388161.
- ^ Waller, William H.; Bohlin, Ralph C.; Cornett, Robert H.; Fanelli, Michael N.; et al. (20 May 1997). "Ultraviolet Signatures of Tidal Interaction in the Giant Spiral Galaxy M101". The Astrophysical Journal. 481 (1): 169. arXiv:astro-ph/9612165. Bibcode:1997ApJ...481..169W. doi:10.1086/304057. S2CID 15360023.
- ^ Kuntz, K.D.; et al. (10 February 2005). "The Optical Counterpart of M101 ULX-1". The Astrophysical Journal. 620 (1): L31–L34. Bibcode:2005ApJ...620L..31K. doi:10.1086/428571. hdl:2060/20050123916.
- ^ Liu, Jifeng; Bregman, Joel N.; Bai, Yu; Justham, Stephen; et al. (2013). "Puzzling accretion onto a black hole in the ultraluminous X-ray source M101 ULX-1". Nature. 503 (7477): 500–3. arXiv:1312.0337. Bibcode:2013Natur.503..500L. doi:10.1038/nature12762. PMID 24284727. S2CID 4447299.
- ^ Chandar, Rupali; Whitmore, Bradley; Lee, Myung Gyoon (2004-08-10). "The Globular Cluster Systems of Five Nearby Spiral Galaxies: New Insights fromHubble Space TelescopeImaging". The Astrophysical Journal. 611 (1): 220–244. arXiv:astro-ph/0407460. Bibcode:2004ApJ...611..220C. doi:10.1086/421934. ISSN 0004-637X.
- ^ a b A. Sandage; J. Bedke (1994). Carnegie Atlas of Galaxies. Carnegie Institution of Washington. ISBN 978-0-87279-667-6.
- ^ R. B. Tully (1988). Nearby Galaxies Catalog. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-35299-4.
- ^ P. Fouque; E. Gourgoulhon; P. Chamaraux; G. Paturel (1992). "Groups of galaxies within 80 Mpc. II – The catalogue of groups and group members". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement. 93 (2nd ed.): 211–233. Bibcode:1992A&AS...93..211F.
- ^ A. Garcia (1993). "General study of group membership. II – Determination of nearby groups". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement. 100: 47–90. Bibcode:1993A&AS..100...47G.
- ^ Giuricin, G.; Marinoni, C.; Ceriani, L.; Pisani, A. (2000). "Nearby Optical Galaxies: Selection of the Sample and Identification of Groups". Astrophysical Journal. 543 (1): 178–194. arXiv:astro-ph/0001140. Bibcode:2000ApJ...543..178G. doi:10.1086/317070. S2CID 9618325.
- ^ Wolf, M. (1909). "Var. 6.1909 Ursae majoris". Astronomische Nachrichten. 180 (14–15): 245. Bibcode:1909AN....180..245W. doi:10.1002/asna.19091801405.
- ^ "SN 1909A". Transient Name Server. IAU. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ a b Sandage, A.; Tammann, G. A. (1974). "Steps toward the Hubble constant. III. The distance and stellar content of the M101 group of galaxies". The Astrophysical Journal. 194: 223. Bibcode:1974ApJ...194..223S. doi:10.1086/153238.
- ^ Bishop, David. "Other Supernovae images, entry for SN 1951H". Rochester Astronomy. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Stoyan, Ronald Atlas of the Messier Objects, Cambridge University Press 2008 page 329
- ^ Detre, L; Lovas, Miklos (1970). "IAUC 2269". International Astronomical Union Circular (2269): 1. Bibcode:1970IAUC.2269....1D.
- ^ Stienon, Francis; Wdowiak, Thomas (1971). "The Spectrum of the July 1970 Supernova in M101". Information Bulletin on Variable Stars. 505: 1. Bibcode:1971IBVS..505....1S.
- ^ Nugent, Peter; et al. (24 August 2011). "Young Type Ia Supernova PTF11kly in M101". The Astronomer's Telegram. 3581: 1. Bibcode:2011ATel.3581....1N. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ Bishop, David. "Bright Supernovae - SN 2011". Rochester Astronomy. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ^ Nugent, Peter; et al. "Supernova Caught in the Act". Archived from the original on 17 September 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
- ^ Hartmut Frommert & Christine Kronberg (15 Sep 2011). "Supernova 2011fe in M101". Retrieved 17 Sep 2011.
- ^ "Transient object followup reports". Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams.
- ^ "AT 2015dl". Transient Name Server. IAU. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ^ Perley, D. A.; Gal-Yam, A.; Irani, I.; Zimmerman, E. (2023). "LT Classification of SN 2023ixf as a Type II Supernova in M101". Transient Name Server Astronote. 119: 1. Bibcode:2023TNSAN.119....1P.
- ^ on March 27
External links
- SEDS: Spiral Galaxy M101
- The Pinwheel Galaxy on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images
- Harutyunyan, Avet; Merrifield, Mike; Dhillon, Vik. "M101 – Pinwheel Galaxy". Deep Sky Videos. Brady Haran.
- Nemiroff, R.; Bonnell, J., eds. (14 April 2009). "M101: The Pinwheel Galaxy". Astronomy Picture of the Day. NASA. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
- "Pinwheel Galaxy – Messier 101". Constellation Guide. 31 May 2013.
- Yoshida, Takayuki. "Spiral Galaxy, M101". Astrophotography by Takayuki Yoshida.
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