M51, UIT
M51 is a spiral galaxy in the constellation of Canes Venatici. It lies at a distance of about 37 million light years. Images at most wavelengths show two galaxies, the larger of which is M51 while the smaller of the two is known to astronomers as NGC5195.

The image on the left shows M51 as seen by the Ultra-violet Imaging Telescope, an instrument that flew on board the shuttle Columbia in December 1990. The image was taken through a filter centered on 152 nanometres in the ultra-violet part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Image credit: UIT