M63 - The Sunflower Galaxy

Messier 63 or M63, also known as the Sunflower Galaxy, is a spiral galaxy in the northern constellation of Canes Venatici. it contains more than 400 billion stars and lies 37million light-years from earth.

 

Although M63 is the central galaxy in this image, it isn't the only one. This image contains many smaller more distant galaxies as well. Every elongated or fuzzy star is actual a galaxy! I count 18, how many do you see?

 

Image captured over 8 nights; 2024-03-08, 12, 14, 30 & 31 and 2024-04-01, 10 & 13

27 hours 35 minutes total integration

Ha subs 9 * 1,200 sec = 3 hours 20

Red subs 85 * 240 sec = 5 hours 40 min

Red subs 25 * 60 sec = 25 minutes

Green subs 84 * 240 sec = 5 hours 36 min

Green subs 16 * 60 sec = 16 minutes

Blue subs 85 * 240 sec = 5 hours 40 min

Blue subs 15 * 60 sec = 15 minutes

 

Imaging Equipment:

PlaneWave CDK14 at 2,563mm

-Rouz Astro’s CDK14 optical train (rouzastro.com/) using Optec Gemini Focuser / Rotator and

Optec Sagitta OAG, ASI 174MM mini Guidecam.

-Mesu Mark II friction drive mount (mesu-optics.nl/mesu200_en.html)

QHY268M camera

RGB filters

Done