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The Sunflower M63 in Canes Venatici

M63 is physically related to this constellation's other beautiful member, M51 The Whirlpool. Both are about 37 million light years away from us.The Sunflower was the first discovery by 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.