M94 (NGC 4736) Observation Guide — Spiral Galaxy in Canes Venatici

Overview

M94 is a Spiral Galaxy located in Canes Venatici, cataloged as NGC 4736. With an apparent magnitude of 8.2, it lies About 15 million light-years from Earth. This Intermediate-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

Physical Characteristics

This galaxy is located About 15 million light-years from Earth with an apparent magnitude of 8.2.

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

M94 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

M94 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

M94 is a Spiral Galaxy observable in Canes Venatici, rated Intermediate level. Enjoyable with a small telescope, it is one of the most popular Messier objects for observation. Try observing it in the Spring night sky!