M63 - Sunflower Galaxy

M63 - Sunflower Galaxy

This galaxy is believed to be about 35 million light years distant and with a width of about 60,000 light years.  It is located in the constellation of Canes Venaciti.  There are numerous filiments and knots of stars.  This galaxy is being effected by M51, known as the Whirlpool Glaxay.  Stars in the outer regions of the Sunflower galaxy rotate about the center at a speed so high they should fly off into space, indicating that some sort of invisible, gravitationally-binding, dark matter is present.

Date:  07-09-2004

Telescope: RC10.0 Prime Focus        Camera:ST10XE                

Exposure Time: LRGB 2.0hrs;40min;40min; 40min2x2bin

Processing: Maxim,reduced, curves, Adobe combined