M63 - The Sunflower Galaxy

[ShineOn]

One of the benefits of doing my recent ‘Messier Marathon’ was that it highlighted objects I’d not imaged before.  Once such is M63, the Sunflower Galaxy which I captured on Saturday evening.  It’s some 27 million light years distant in the constellation of Canes Venatici.  It’s known as a ‘flocculent’ galaxy as it’s arms appear patchy and discontinuous, thus somewhat resembling a sunflower. Possibly.

Image details:
Luminance – 56 x 5 mins using MN190 / Atik 460ex
Total image time: 4h 40mins
Guided with ZWO ASI 224 MC / phd2
Data captured with Sequence Generator Pro
Stacked with DSS
Processed with PS CS5 / Topaz Denoise
 

[MarkAR]

Superbly detailed capture.

I've been trying this target for a few nights but don't think my subs will be anywhere near this good.

[lux eterna]

Nicely processed, and still lots of details in the outskirts of the galaxy. Could be even better with colour...

I have done it myself but did not reach as far out as you have done.

Ragnar

[ShineOn]

3 hours ago, lux eterna said:

Nicely processed, and still lots of details in the outskirts of the galaxy. Could be even better with colour...

I have done it myself but did not reach as far out as you have done.

Ragnar

Thank you Ragnar.  Yes, hoping to add some RGB this week

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Fantastic detail. Looks really amazing when I move just an extra foot back from my monitor.