Sunflower Galaxy (M63)

May 1 - 2, 2024 (Rochester, NY)

The Sunflower Galaxy, also known as Messier 63 (M63), is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Canes Venatici. Its name derives from the appearance of its spiral arms, which resemble the pattern of a sunflower's seeds. M63 is notable for its bright nucleus and well-defined spiral structure, with arms winding outward from its central bulge. It is approximately 37 million light-years away from Earth and is part of the M51 Group of galaxies, which also includes the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51). The Sunflower Galaxy is a popular target for amateur astronomers due to its brightness and distinctive morphology, offering insights into the formation and evolution of spiral galaxies like our own Milky Way.