The Sunflower Galaxy (M63) blooms 27 million light-years away in Canes Venatici, its swirling arms rich with stars and dust. This vibrant spiral showcases cosmic beauty and the dynamic nature of galactic evolution.
Target Data
- Name: Sunflower Galaxy
- Catalog Entries: Messier 63 / NGC 5055
- Constellation: Canes Venatici
- Hemisphere: North of celestial equator
- Distance to Earth: 27 million light years away
- Object Type: Spiral Galaxy
- RA: 13hr 16′ DEC: 42º 02′
- Approx Ideal FOV: 30′
Image Acquisition
This image was taken during April of 2025 when many galaxies are visible on the constellations of Canes Venatici, Leo, Coma Berenices, and Virgo. These spring constellations rise high in the Northern Hemisphere during April, offering a rich field of galaxies for deep-sky observers and astrophotographers alike.
To capture this image I used an Askar 80mm refractor telescope paired with the ASI585MC Pro camera, yielding a generous 64-arcminute field of view. While M63 spans only about 13 by 7.9 arcminutes—making it a small target in this frame—the resolution of the sensor (3840×2160) allowed for a focused region of interest around 1080 pixels wide as shown in the image above. No narrowband filters were used; this is a pure broadband capture, showcasing the galaxy’s natural glow.
- Camera: ZWO ASI585MC Pro
- Telescope/Lens: Askar 80PHQ
- Mount: iOptron GEM28 EC
- Filters: ZWO UV/IR Cut
- Image Scale: 1.00″
- Integration Time: ~30hrs
- Capture Dates: Apr 20 – Apr 28, 2025
- Bortle Scale: Bortle 6, Bright Suburban Sky
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