This image is of two galaxies, M51 the Whirlpool Galaxy and NGC 5195 companion interacting in a grand-design spiral galaxy. In this dance the larger galaxy will slowly absorb the smaller one every time is passes through. This cosmic snack is not unique, as our own milky way has grown in a similar way.
The "Milkyway" galaxies next date for dinner will be with Andromeda in the next billion years. M51 is estimated to be 23 million light-years from the Milky Way Galaxy.
The induced spiral structure in the larger galaxy M51 is not the only effect of the interaction. Significant compression of hydrogen gas occurs that leads to the development of starbirth regions. In my picture of M51 these show up as the bright blue 'knots' throughout the spiral arms.
Until recently, it was not known with certainty whether the companion galaxy was a true companion, or another galaxy passing at a distance. With the advent of radio astronomy and subsequent radio images of M51 unequivocally demonstrated the reality of the interaction.
Recent simulations show that the spiral structure was caused, by companion passing through the main disk of M51 about 500 to 600 million years ago. The companion came from behind M51 through the disk towards the observer and made another disk crossing as recently as 50 to 100 million years ago until it is where we observe it to be now, slightly behind M51.
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Note: The larger galaxy M51 is busy eating the smaller galaxy NGC 5195, this cosmic dance has been going on for about 500 million years.
This image was taken at a long focal length at F10 and this made my image fairly dark so I have captured many frames and I have pushed my guiding capability up to 300s for the ISO1600s.
All worked out great yaaay!