M63 (Sunflower Galaxy) Complete Guide — Spiral Galaxy in Canes Venatici
Overview
Sunflower Galaxy (M63) is a Spiral Galaxy located in Canes Venatici, cataloged as NGC 5055. With an apparent magnitude of 8.6, it lies About 37 million light-years from Earth. This Advanced-level object is best observed in the Spring sky.
Spiral galaxies feature a central bulge surrounded by sweeping spiral arms. These arms are rich in young stars and interstellar gas, with active star formation taking place.
Basic Data
| Item | Data |
|---|---|
| Messier Number | M63 |
| Catalog Number | NGC 5055 |
| Object Type | Spiral Galaxy |
| Constellation | Canes Venatici |
| Apparent Magnitude | 8.6 |
| Distance | About 37 million light-years |
| Best Season | Spring |
| Difficulty | Advanced |
| Required Equipment | Small telescope |
Physical Characteristics
This galaxy is located About 37 million light-years from Earth with an apparent magnitude of 8.6.
While there are estimated to be hundreds of billions of galaxies in the universe, those in the Messier catalog are relatively bright and representative objects observable with amateur telescopes.
Observation Guide
How to Find
Sunflower Galaxy (M63) is located in the Canes Venatici region. It transits around 20:00–22:00 during Spring, making it well-positioned for observation. use the main stars of Canes Venatici as guide stars and confirm the exact position with a star chart or app.
Observation Tips
Galaxy observation benefits from dark skies and large-aperture telescopes. Use low magnification for a wide field of view, and allow your eyes to fully dark-adapt before observing.
Recommended Equipment
We recommend observing from dark skies with a telescope of 80mm aperture or more.
Astrophotography Tips
Sunflower Galaxy (M63) is a popular target for astrophotography. Tracking with an equatorial mount is essential. Long exposures (30 seconds to several minutes) at high ISO reveal details invisible to the naked eye. Stacking multiple images reduces noise and produces beautiful, detailed results.
Summary
M63 is a Spiral Galaxy observable in Canes Venatici, rated Advanced level. While it requires a somewhat larger telescope, it is a rewarding object to observe. Try observing it in the Spring night sky!