The Whirlpool Galaxy, M51

Name: The Whirlpool Galaxy, M51
Brand: Peter Cox Photography
SKU: AST-M51-001-whirlpool_galaxy-Unframed-Small
Price: 75 EUR
Availability: InStock

4.98 from 344 reviews of Peter's prints

Finish

Black wood frame, glazed with acrylic so it travels safely, with a mount on Exhibition and Feature sizes. Ready to hang.

Size

Ask about this print

€140

Tracked delivery to Ireland: €10

Questions? Talk to Peter

The photograph

Letters from the Landscape

M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy, roughly 23 to 31 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. That distance is almost impossible to process. Yet here it is, rendered in remarkable detail. The larger spiral galaxy shows clearly defined arms in blue, dense with star-forming regions, while its smaller companion NGC 5195 glows a warm golden-brown. A tidal bridge of stars and dust connects the two, evidence of a gravitational interaction that has been unfolding for hundreds of millions of years.

What I find fascinating about this image is the diffuse halo of interstellar material surrounding both galaxies. It's the kind of faint structure that demands long integration times and properly dark skies to capture. The spiral structure of M51 was actually the first to be observed, back in 1845 by Lord Rosse using his enormous telescope at Birr Castle in Co. Offaly!

Two galaxies, bound together across an unimaginable scale, caught mid-conversation.

Every print

Made to order
Every print is made to order: printed, checked, signed, and packaged for you individually.
Hand-signed
Every print is signed. Unframed and framed prints are signed and titled by hand on the white border beneath the photograph.
Archival
Archival inks on museum-grade materials. Unframed and framed prints are Giclée prints on cotton rag paper.
Safe arrival
Prints are well-packaged, tracked and insured. If one arrives damaged, I'll replace it at no cost.

Before you buy

When will it arrive?

You'll get an email with tracking as soon as it ships. If it's for a date, a birthday, an anniversary or a new home, add a note at checkout or email me at info@petercox.ie. I'll do my best to prioritise it and give you a realistic timeline.

What does shipping cost?

I ship worldwide, and every print from Exhibition size up goes free to Ireland, the UK and Europe. Studio prints and books carry a small charge, and the cost for the size you've chosen is shown under the Add to Cart button. The full table is on our Shipping page, and you'll see the exact cost at checkout before you pay. Every parcel is tracked and insured. Within the EU there's no customs duty; outside it, any import duty or tax is the buyer's to pay.

Does the size include the frame?

Yes. A framed size is the whole frame, edge to edge: 3 inches bigger each way than the print inside it. An unframed size is the sheet of paper, including the white border where I sign and title each print by hand. Canvas and Floating Panel sizes are the face of the piece.

Which finish should I choose?

Unframed Museum-quality Giclée print on archival cotton rag paper. Choose your own frame.
Framed Black wood frame, glazed with acrylic so it travels safely, with a mount on Exhibition and Feature sizes. Ready to hang.
Canvas Gallery-wrapped canvas.
Floating Panel Mounted on a 3 mm aluminium composite panel, made in-house. Frameless, no glass, ready to hang. Best for modern interiors and maximum impact.

Can I see it on my wall first?

Yes, free. Send me a photograph of your wall. I'll send it back with the print hanging on it, at its true size and in the correct perspective. Start my free preview

Can I send it back?

Changed your mind? Send it back within 30 days for a full refund; you cover the return postage. If it arrives damaged or isn't right, I'll replace it or refund you, free. And it's guaranteed for life against fading. The full policy