Sunflower Galaxy

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Messier 63
Messier 63 GALEX WikiSky.jpg
M63 from GALEX sky survey
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Constellation Canes Venatici
Right ascension 13h 15m 49.3s[1]
Declination +42° 01′ 45″[1]
Redshift 484 km/s[1]
Distance 37 Mly[2]
Type SA(rs)bc[1]
Apparent dimensions (V) 12′.6 × 7′.2[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) 9.3[1]
Other designations
M63, NGC 5055, UGC 8334, PGC 46153[1]
See also: Galaxy, List of galaxies

Messier 63 (also known as M63, NGC 5055, or the Sunflower Galaxy) is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici consisting of a central disc surrounded by many short spiral arm segments. M63 is part of the M51 Group, a group of galaxies that also includes M51 (the 'Whirlpool Galaxy'). M63 is an active galaxy with a LINER nucleus.[3]

History

M63 was discovered by Pierre Méchain on June 14, 1779.[4] The galaxy was then listed by Charles Messier as object 63 in the Messier Catalogue.

In the mid-19th century, Lord Rosse identified spiral structures within the galaxy, making this one of the first galaxies in which such structure was identified.[4]

In 1971, a supernova with a magnitude of 11.8 appeared in one of the arms of M63.

Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. Frommert, Hartmut & Kronberg, Christine (2002). "Messier Object 63". Retrieved Dec. 6, 2006
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links

Coordinates: Sky map 13h 15m 49.3s, +42° 01′ 45″


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