The Whirlpool Galaxy is located in Canes Venatici, a northern constel- lation that is easily visible during spring. Canes Venatici (ΓÇ£the Hunting DogsΓÇ¥) is a group of stars named in 1690 by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius. The Whirlpool Galaxy itself was discovered in 1773 by Charles Messier, who catalogued it as M51. Messier also catalogued the astonishing globular cluster M3, located in the same constellation.
