The “Sunflower Galaxy” (M63)

Description:

The Sunflower Galaxy is in a group of galaxies that includes the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), beneath the handle of the big dipper. It contains an estimated 10 billion suns. Note the intricate detail in the spiral arms, which some compare to a sunflower.

Image Name:

The "Sunflower Galaxy" (M63)

Date Taken:

March 31, 2009

Location Taken:

Conditions of Location:

FWHM 2.5

Equipment Used:

14.5" Ritchey-Chretien telescope, SBIG STL11000 CCD camera, Astrodon RGB filters, TCC, PIR.

Processing Used:

0 x 300 seconds luminance, 10 x 200 seconds RGB, guided, 1x1 binning, processed in Maxim DL and Photoshop (total exposure 2 hours 40 minutes).

Distance from Location:

37 million light years

Constellation:

Canes Venatici (the "hunting dogs")

Other Link:

http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m063.html

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