This galaxy is called Messier 100. It is part of the Virgo Cluster and lies about 50 million light years away from our solar system. It is located in the constellation Coma Berenices. Other galaxies can also be seen in this image, for example NGC 4312, NGC 4328 and NGC 4322. These galaxies can be seen from the northern hemisphere in late winter.

Messier 100 is an intermediate spiral galaxy, which means it lies between a barred and a spiral galaxy. M100 is considered a starburst galaxy, which means that it forms stars very quickly.