M63 · galaxy

Sunflower Galaxy

Messier 63 or M63, also known as NGC 5055 or the seldom-used Sunflower Galaxy, is a spiral galaxy in the northern constellation of Canes Venatici with approximately 400 billion stars.

RA13h 15m 49sDec+42° 01' 45"

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech. Source: JPL via images.nasa.gov.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: M63
All designations: M63 · NGC 5055 · Sunflower Galaxy
Object type: Galaxy
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Best viewing: Spring

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 13h 15m 49s
Declination (J2000): +42° 01' 45"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —
Redshift (z): 0.001668

III

Visibility tonight

The science

Messier 63 or M63, also known as NGC 5055 or the seldom-used Sunflower Galaxy, is a spiral galaxy in the northern constellation of Canes Venatici with approximately 400 billion stars. M63 was first discovered by the French astronomer Pierre Méchain, then later verified by his colleague Charles Messier on 14 June 1779. The galaxy became listed as object 63 in the Messier Catalogue. In the mid-19th century, Anglo-Irish astronomer Lord Rosse identified spiral structures within the galaxy, making this one of the first galaxies in which such structure was identified.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0