The Sunflower Galaxy (M63)

 

Object Type: Galaxy
Scope: Orion 10" Newtonian
Exposure 120 minutes

 

 

Sunflower Galaxy (also known as Messier 63, M63, or NGC 5055) is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici consisting of a central disc surrounded by many short spiral arm segments. 

 

The Sunflower Galaxy is part of the M51 Group, a group of galaxies that also includes the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51).

 

This image was voted best image for May 2009 by the Orion Deep Space Pro CCD user group on Yahoo!, it also won a second place award for Best Deep Space Image of 2009 by Orion Telescopes. The image was taken at a San Mateo County Astronomical Society star party in Crestview Park San Carlos, CA.