Whirlpool Galaxy Hydrogen Distribution (IMAGE)

University of California - Berkeley

Whirlpool Galaxy Hydrogen Distribution

Caption

The distribution of HI hydrogen in the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) as determined by the THINGS VLA survey extends far beyond the visible stars in the galaxy and its satellite companion (marked by cross), which is situated in the short arm of the spiral. Analysis of perturbations in the hydrogen distribution can be used to predict the location of such satellites, in particular, those satellites that are composed primarily of dark matter and are thus too faint to be detected easily.

Credit

Sukanya Chakrabarti/UC Berkeley

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