M101 - The Pinwheel Galaxy

Copyright: Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

M101 is a large face-on spiral galaxy located close to the visual double star Mizar/Alcor in Ursa Major. It measures over 160,000 ly across but its low surface brightness makes it difficult to see from all but the darkest skies. Binocular users may catch a glimpse of M101 under such conditions, but a medium to large telescope is required to see its spiral arms.
M101 is approximately 27 million ly away and is listed as shining at magnitude 8.50
Find M101