M63 (Sunflower Galaxy, NGC 5055)
The Sunflower Galaxy is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici, located approximately 27 million light-years from Earth. M63 is a member of the M51 Group, a collection of galaxies that includes the famous Whirlpool Galaxy (M51). It earned its common name from the bright, patchy appearance of its spiral arms, which resemble the pattern of seeds on a sunflower head.
Distance: 27 million light-years
Apparent Magnitude: 9.3
Apparent Size: 12.6 x 7.2 arcminutes
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Object Type: Spiral Galaxy (SA(rs)bc)
Discovery: June 14, 1779 by Pierre Mechain
M63 contains roughly 400 billion stars and exhibits a faint tidal stellar stream, suggesting it gravitationally disrupted a smaller companion galaxy in the past. The galaxy was one of the first spiral nebulae in which spiral structure was recognized, observed by William Herschel in 1788. It is also classified as a flocculent spiral galaxy, meaning its spiral arms are patchy and discontinuous rather than well defined.
Imaging Details:
Telescope: Orion 8 inch 1000mm f4.9 Newtonian Reflector
Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G
Camera: Canon T3i (Full Spectrum Modified)
Guide Scope: Meade 800mm f10 reduced to f5
Guide Camera: Meade DSI Pro Monochrome
Integration: 100 x 180sec (5 hours total)
Capture Software: N.I.N.A 3.1
Stacking: Siril 1.4.0
