Sunflower Galaxy (M63) Type, Location, Discovery

The Sunflower Galaxy, known as Messier 63 or M63, is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Canes Venatici. Sunflower Galaxy is classified as a type of spiral galaxy with characteristics. Sunflower Galaxy resides at a location in the night sky, observable from Earth under conditions. Learn about Sunflower Galaxy’s structure, size, distance from Earth, and features that contribute to its nickname.

The Sunflower Galaxy is classified as a flocculent spiral galaxy. Flocculent spiral galaxies have clumpy and patchy arms with irregular structures. M63 exhibits fragmented spiral arms measuring 10,000 to 20,000 light-years in width. Star formation occurs within these spiral arm regions.

The Sunflower Galaxy is located in the constellation Canes Venatici.  M63 belongs to the M51 Group of galaxies, which includes the Whirlpool Galaxy and other smaller galaxies. The M51 Group forms a system in space, evidenced by the lack of galaxy clusters or superclusters. The Sunflower Galaxy is located 27 million light-years from Earth.  Some sources report an estimate of 37 million light-years, but scientists do not accept this figure.

Pierre Méchain discovered the Sunflower Galaxy in 1779. Charles Messier added M63 to his catalog of sky objects, including it in the first 24 objects of his catalogue published in 1774. Méchain’s discovery advanced astronomy and contributed to our understanding of galaxies.

The Sunflower Galaxy contains 400 billion stars. M63 measures 98,000 light-years in diameter. The galaxy has a core with a 400 light-year diameter surrounded by spiral arms resembling sunflower petals.  Astronomers observed a supernova in the Sunflower Galaxy in 1971.

 

What is the Sunflower Galaxy (m63)?

The Sunflower Galaxy (M63) is a spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici constellation. M63 contains 400 billion stars and lies 37 million light-years from Earth. Pierre Méchain discovered M63 in 1779. Charles Messier added it to his catalog. M63 features a yellow core and arms of stars, gas, and dust.

Classified as a type SAbc galaxy, M63 exhibits wound spiral arms. The Sunflower Galaxy exhibits a star formation rate suggesting ongoing stellar creation within its structure. A hydrogen gas envelope surrounds the disk of the galaxy, providing fuel for ongoing star formation. Astronomers have detected a faint outer stellar halo around M63, offering insights into the galaxy’s formation history and evolution.

What type of galaxy is the Sunflower Galaxy?

The Sunflower Galaxy, known as Messier 63 or NGC 5055, is a flocculent spiral galaxy. Flocculent spiral galaxies have clumpy, patchy arms. M63 is located in the constellation Canes Venatici, 37 million light-years from Earth. Astronomers estimate it contains 400 billion stars and exhibits a fragmented spiral structure.

Astronomers categorize the Sunflower Galaxy as a flocculent spiral galaxy. Flocculent spiral galaxies display irregular spiral arms, lacking well-defined and symmetrical structures. The Sunflower Galaxy exhibits discontinuous spiral arms, with active star formation occurring within these regions. Its spiral arms measure 10,000 to 20,000 light-years in width.

Where is the Sunflower Galaxy located?

The Sunflower Galaxy, known as M63 or NGC 5055, is located in the constellation Canes Venatici. Canes Venatici lies in the sky near Ursa Major. M63 is a spiral galaxy 27 million light-years from Earth.  Charles Messier added it to his catalog of sky objects.

The Sunflower Galaxy sits 27 million light-years away from Earth. Light from this galaxy takes 27 million years to reach our planet, highlighting its vast cosmic separation. The galaxy belongs to the M51 Group of galaxies. This group includes the Whirlpool Galaxy and other smaller galaxies, forming an isolated system in space. The M51 Group’s isolation is evidenced by the lack of nearby large galaxy clusters or superclusters.

Who discovered the Sunflower Galaxy?

Astronomer Pierre Méchain discovered the Sunflower galaxy in 1779. Méchain’s discovery advanced astronomy. The Sunflower galaxy, known as Messier 63 (M63), is located in the constellation Canes Venatici. Charles Messier included M63 in the first 24 objects of his famous catalogue, published in 1774.

When was the Sunflower Galaxy discovered?

Astronomer Pierre Méchain discovered the Sunflower galaxy on June 14, 1779. Méchain used a 3.5-inch refracting telescope for the discovery. The Sunflower Galaxy became M63 in Charles Messier’s famous catalogue of sky objects. M63 was among the first 24 objects in the Messier catalogue. Astronomers study M63 today.

What are some facts about the Sunflower Galaxy?

The Sunflower Galaxy (M63) is located 27 million light-years in the constellation Canes Venatici. M63 belongs to the M51 group of galaxies. Spiral arms contain young, blue stars. Galaxy has a core, 400 light-year diameter, and 9.3 apparent magnitude. Small telescopes observe M63’s sunflower appearance.

Some facts about the Sunflower galaxy are listed below.

• The Sunflower Galaxy resides in the constellation Canes Venatici.
• The Sunflower Galaxy has an apparent magnitude of 9.3.
• May provides good viewing conditions for the Sunflower Galaxy.
• The Sunflower Galaxy belongs to the M51 group.
• The Sunflower Galaxy is classified as a spiral galaxy.
• The Sunflower Galaxy contains 400 billion stars.
• The Sunflower Galaxy measures 98,000 light-years in diameter.
• Earth lies 27 million light-years from the Sunflower Galaxy.
• The Sunflower Galaxy has a core surrounded by spiral arms resembling sunflower petals.
• An active galactic nucleus is present in the Sunflower Galaxy.
• A supernova was observed in the Sunflower Galaxy in 1971.
• Astrophotographers target the Sunflower Galaxy for imaging due to its unique appearance and structure.

What is the size of the Sunflower Galaxy?

Sunflower Galaxy measures 63,000 light-years in diameter. The galaxy appears 12.6 by 7.2 arcminutes in the sky. Size is for spiral galaxies. Galaxy is larger than many others, yet considered small in the observable universe. Mass equals 2 x 10^11 solar masses.

What is the age of the Sunflower Galaxy?

The Sunflower Galaxy (M63) is 13.6 billion years old. Researchers published a study in the Astrophysical Journal in 2019 estimating this age, with an uncertainty of 1 billion years. M63’s age matches the Milky Way’s age of around 13.6 billion years old. Both galaxies formed during the universe’s early days.

A misconception is that the Sunflower Galaxy is 27 million years old. The 27 million figure represents the distance from Earth to the galaxy in light-years. 

Astronomical observations also suggest a 13.28 billion-year age estimate for the Sunflower Galaxy. Star formation rates and the galaxy’s stellar population indicate its origin in the universe. Both Messier 63 (M63) and Messier 74 (M74), called the Sunflower Galaxy, have estimated ages of 13.28 billion years.

How many stars are in the Sunflower Galaxy?

The Sunflower Galaxy, known as Messier 63 (M63), contains 400 billion stars. Astronomers estimate this population based on Hubble Space Telescope observations of visible and near-infrared light. M63 is a spiral galaxy located 37 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. Its star count includes both visible and invisible stars.

How far is the Sunflower Galaxy from Earth?

The Sunflower Galaxy, known as Messier 63 or NGC 5055, is located 27 million light-years from Earth. Scientists estimated this distance using the Tully-Fisher relation, which connects a galaxy’s rotation velocity to its intrinsic brightness. The Sunflower Galaxy exists in the Canes Venatici constellation near the Hunting Dogs asterism. Some sources report an estimate of 37 million light-years, though this figure is not accepted.

Can you see the Sunflower Galaxy through a telescope?

Telescopes reveal the Sunflower galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. Observers require large instruments with 8-10 inch diameter. Faint galaxy visibility improves with larger apertures, quality eyepieces, and dark locations. Spring months offer viewing conditions. UHC-S or OIII filters enhance spiral arm and star-forming region visibility.

Dark skies away from light pollution offer a good opportunity to observe the galaxy. The Sunflower galaxy appears as a patch in small telescopes. Its central core is resolvable with 100 mm aperture telescopes. Some outer spiral arms are visible in certain conditions.

The Sunflower galaxy’s distance of 27 million light-years from Earth affects its appearance. The galaxy’s size of 100,000 light-years in diameter challenges resolution in instruments. The Sunflower galaxy presents as a smudge measuring 10 arcminutes in length. Its overall magnitude of 9.0 makes it a dim object in the night sky.

The bright central bulge and sweeping spiral arms become pronounced with increased aperture. Star-forming regions within the galaxy’s structure become visible in resolution images. The Hubble Space Telescope has captured views showcasing the galaxy’s complex structure.

Locating the Sunflower galaxy requires patience and practice. Star charts or computerized telescope mounts aid in finding the galaxy’s position. The galaxy’s designation as Messier 63 (M63) helps in identification. Observers allow time for dark adaptation to maximize visibility. Averted vision techniques can help detect faint details in the galaxy’s structure.