The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) was the first celestial object identified as being spiral.

 

The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) was the first celestial object identified as being spiral.

The grand, spiraling arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy are made up of long lanes of stars and gas, sprinkled with lots of space dust.

These arms act as star formation factories, compressing hydrogen gas and creating clusters of new stars.