M101: The Pinwheel Galaxy

This Hubble Space Telescope image of M101 showcases a spiral galaxy's well-known features. The text describes the features that are common to all spiral galaxies. In the accompanying educational activity, In Search of...Spiral Galaxies, students investigate the structure of spiral galaxies through a level 1 inquiry activity using the images and text from the lithograph and other resources. A level 1 inquiry activity can help prepare students to become independent thinkers. Educational levels: Middle school, High school