The Pinwheel Galaxy, also known as M101, is a spiral galaxy located about 21 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. It is notable for its well-defined spiral arms and bright, blue star clusters. The galaxy spans approximately 170,000 light-years in diameter, making it one of the largest galaxies in the local group.
Discovered in 1781 by the astronomer Pierre Méchain, the Pinwheel Galaxy is home to a variety of astronomical features, including supernova remnants and regions of active star formation. Its face-on orientation allows astronomers to study its structure and composition in detail, contributing to our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution.