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The composite image includes data from both X-ray and Optical light. It features the entirety of the M51 galaxy, which indeed resembles a swirling whirlpool in a black sea, viewed from above. At the core of the cloudy blue whirlpool is a bright white light from which wispy spiraling arms appear to swirl. The swirling arms are the color of red wine and resemble long tendrils of smoke. Along the lengths of the spiraling arms are specks of light in white and neon purple. One of the spiraling arms curves up toward our upper left. There, it appears to dissipate in a pool of pale purple light. Overlaid on one of the spiraling arms, to our right of the bright white core, is a box rendered in thin white lines. Inside this box is a speck of white light. Here, astronomers have detected the first evidence of a possible planet passing in front of a star outside of our Milky Way. In this small spot in the M51 galaxy, Astronomers and researchers have detected a dimming of X-rays from a system where a large star is in orbit around a small, dense neutron star or black hole. The dimming is interpreted as being a planet passing in front of the bright, dense object. For this release, that interpretation has been illustrated by an artist.

Images of Messier 51

Images of Messier 51

Look at images of Messier 51

Images of Messier 51

Look at images of Messier 51

Images of Messier 51
Look at images of Messier 51