M51bs

M51bs is a designation given to a pair of dwarf galaxies that orbit the much larger Whirlpool Galaxy (M51a). These companion galaxies, designated M51bs-1 and M51bs-2, are located approximately 28 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. They were discovered in 2005 using data from the Hubble Space Telescope.

M51bs-1 and M51bs-2 are significantly smaller and less luminous than the Whirlpool Galaxy. Their gravitational interaction with the larger galaxy is believed to influence its spiral structure. Studies of these dwarf galaxies can provide insights into the processes of galaxy formation and evolution within galactic clusters. Their proximity to M51a makes them ideal subjects for detailed observation and comparison. Further research aims to understand their composition, star formation rates, and the nature of their dark matter content, which is thought to be a significant component of their mass. The existence and properties of M51bs contribute to our understanding of the hierarchical model of galaxy formation, where smaller structures merge and accrete to form larger ones.