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Today in History: Messier discovers Whirlpool Galaxy, 31 million light-years

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 10:34 AM UTC · How we work

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Story summary

On October 13, French astronomer Charles Messier recorded the Whirlpool Galaxy (M 51a), a grand-design spiral about 31 million light-years distant in Canes Venatici. He noted its bright, well-defined arms and the tidal disturbance caused by a smaller companion galaxy, marking the first identified interacting spiral system.

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Story summary

On October 13, French astronomer Charles Messier recorded the Whirlpool Galaxy (M 51a), a grand-design spiral about 31 million light-years distant in Canes Venatici. He noted its bright, well-defined arms and the tidal disturbance caused by a smaller companion galaxy, marking the first identified interacting spiral system.