This galaxy is called Messier 99. It belongs to the Virgo Cluster and is about 50 million light years away from our solar system. It is located in the constellation Coma Berenices. Many other galaxies can also be seen in this image, for example NGC 4262, NGC 4298 and NGC 4302. This galaxy field can be seen from the northern hemisphere in late winter. 

Messier 99 is a spiral galaxy with no bar at its centre. The star-forming activity in this galaxy is three times higher than usual for such a galaxy. This may have been triggered by an encounter with the galaxy NGC 4254.