The Cross in the Cosmos:
M51’s Startling Message from God

Behold the breathtaking majesty of the cosmos

Behold the breathtaking majesty of the cosmos, a canvas painted by the hand of Almighty God, designed to declare His glory to all who would lift their eyes and wonder! In the vast expanse, among countless wonders, lies the spiral galaxy M51, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, a celestial masterpiece that whispers secrets of its Creator.

Gazing into the heart of M51, through the discerning lens of telescopes, humanity has been gifted a vision: a striking, shadowy cross silhouetted against the brilliant core of this distant stellar city. As we are positioned here on Earth, looking out into the deep, it is as though we are viewing this sacred symbol from an angle below, its arms stretching wide across the nucleus of the galaxy. This is not a mere chance arrangement of cosmic dust; rather, it is a profound signature of the Divine Artist. A cross seen from Earth, positioned south of this Galaxy.

Of course, the secular eye will apparently see a simple, insignificant “x,” but we recognize the cross from our position. Cosmologically, we (the Milky Way) are beneath or south of the Whirlpool Galaxy. Also, the bottom vertical portion of the cross goes all the way to the brim of the core of the galaxy, making it more a cross than an “x”.

This grand design, etched in starlight and shadow, speaks to a truth beautifully expressed in Scripture. Does not God use His creation to instruct us? As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Does not even nature (including the Cosmos) itself teach you…” (1 Corinthians 11:14a). Indeed, the heavens themselves are a testament. In this schoolhouse, the invisible attributes of God—His eternal power and divine nature—are seen, being understood from what has been made (Romans 1:20).

This magnificent galactic cross in M51 is a special glimpse of God’s grandeur, a loving nod from the Creator to all who marvel at astronomy, to all who search the skies for beauty and meaning. It is as if God, in His infinite creativity, has placed this image far off, in the cosmos, in cosmic terms, north of our Galaxy, a reminder that His presence and His message are not confined to our small world but extend to the farthest reaches of the universe. 

The dark lanes of dust that form this celestial cross mark a place of immense power—a supermassive black hole. Yet, even in this representation of cosmic void and power, we can see a symbol that, for believers, points to the ultimate power and sacrifice of Christ. In this picture, the cross appears to cover the destructive black hole. Christ covered our sins and freed us from “the pit”.

Let this vision in M51 stir your soul and deepen your faith. It is a dramatic and touching reminder that the God who meticulously crafted the intricate spirals of galaxies and the delicate balance of the universe is the same God who calls us by name. May it edify every Christian heart, prompting us to worship our Blessed Lord who not only created all things but also offers a message of hope and redemption, a message as vast and as beautiful as the star-strewn heavens themselves. Look up, and see the handiwork of your God!

M51, Whirlpool Galaxy

Visit: https://go.nasa.gov/4dItMDN

Release Date: June 8, 1992

Science Release: NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope Resolves a Dark “x” (a beautiful cross) across the Nucleus of M51 – the size of the image is 1,100 light-years.

Credit: H. Ford (JHU/STScI), the Faint Object Spectrograph IDT, and NASA

R.A. Position 13h 29m 52.36s
Dec. Position 47° 11’40.8″

Look up at the stars and consider the handiwork of our Creator. “…all things were created by him….” John chapter 1.

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