Date 2005	Location Kingman AZ	Software CCDSoft, MaxIm DL	Mount OGS Custom	Guide STV w/ OAG
Optic OGS 32" R-C	Camera STL-11000M	Filter Astrodon L/R-G-B	Exposure 300s x 12/300s x 4	Process Photoshop CS2

Billions and Billions.com/Sunflower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Sunflower M63 in Canes Venatici  

M63 is physically related to its constellation's other beautiful member, M51 The Whirlpool.  Both are about 37,000,000 light years away from us.  The Sunflower was the first discovery of Messier's friend Pierre Mechain.  The staggering distance does not dilute the galaxy's overwhelming beauty, truly reminiscent of a Sunflower standing in a warm French meadow.  Many thanks to Mr. Jim Misti of Misti Mountain Observatory for this fantastic data.  Return to the Gallery