The Sunflower Galaxy + Giacomo Pro + L-QEF (L-Quad Enhance Filter)

The Sunflower Galaxy

Credit: Giacomo Pro

Filters: Optolong L-QEF (L-Quad Enhance Filter)

 

 

 

 

The Sunflower Galaxy 
Also known as M 63 or NGC 5055, this is a spiral galaxy visible in the constellation Canes Venatici; it was discovered in 1779 by Pierre Méchain, a colleague and friend of Messier who collaborated on the compilation of the famous catalogue.
M63 is fairly easy to locate, 1.5° north of the chain of stars comprising 19, 20 and 23 CVn, which in turn lie 3° north-east of Cor Caroli.
The best time to observe it in the evening sky is between January and August.
The Sunflower Galaxy is an Sb or Sc-type spiral, displaying an irregular spiral pattern; it appears to form a physical group with the Pinwheel Galaxy, the Whirlpool Galaxy and many other minor galaxies; it may belong to the M101 Group (a subgroup of M51). The name ‘Sunflower’ is due to the vast number of spiral arms surrounding the nucleus, tightly wound around it and permeated by a large number of interstellar dust clouds; the total mass of the galaxy is estimated to be between 80 and 140 billion solar masses, with a diameter of 90,000 light-years, similar to that of our Milky Way. Its distance is estimated at 37 million light-years, and it is receding from us at a speed of 580 km/s. 

 

 

 

 

Light: 225 x 300 seconds 
Filter: Optolong Astronomy Filter L-QEF
Camera: Asi 294 mc pro
Telescope: Sky-Watcher 200/1000 PDS
Mount: Skywatcher Eq 6-r Pro
Acquisition: Asiair Plus
Software: DSS - Pixinsight – Photoshop
Shots: 05-07-08/04/2026
Location: Torricella (TA) ITALY
Sky Bortle: 6
Author: PRO’ GIACOMO.