NASA Hubble Space Telescope Did Not Take Picture of Cross in Whirlpool Galaxy Core
“Is it true that a picture of a cross was taken by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope in the core of the Whirlpool galaxy or M51?”
Summary
The Hubble Space Telescope captured an image of M51’s core that reveals a dark “X” silhouette across the nucleus, not a cross. The feature is an X-shaped dust structure, so the claim of a cross picture is inaccurate.
Sources 59 searched
- "X" Structure at Core of Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) - NASA Science
This image of the core of the nearby spiral galaxy M51, taken with the Wide Field Planetary camera (in PC mode) on NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, shows a striking , dark "X" silhouetted across the galaxy's nucleus.
- M51 Hubble Remix - NASA Science
Image data from the Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys was reprocessed to produce this alternative portrait of the well-known interacting galaxy pair. The processing sharpened details and enhanced color and contrast in otherwise faint areas, bringing out dust lanes and extended streams that cross the small companion, along with features in the surroundings and core of M51 itself.
- NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Resolves a Dark "x" Across the Nucleus of M51 - NASA Science
This image of the core of the nearby spiral galaxy M51, taken with the Wide Field Planetary camera (in PC mode) on NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, shows a striking , dark "X" silhouetted across the galaxy's nucleus.
- APOD: 2008 June 14 - M51 Hubble Remix - NASA
Over 60,000 light-years across, M51's spiral arms and dust lanes clearly sweep in front of its companion galaxy (right), NGC 5195. Image data from the Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys has been reprocessed to produce this alternative portrait of the well-known interacting galaxy pair.
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