Messier Index/M63
The Sunflower Galaxy (also known as Messier 63, M63, or NGC 5055) is an w:unbarred spiral galaxy in the w:Canes Venatici w:constellation. It is a w:flocculent spiral galaxy, consisting of a central disc surrounded by many short spiral arm segments. The Sunflower Galaxy is part of the w:M51 Group, a group of galaxies that also includes the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51).
| Sunflower Galaxy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Observation data (w:J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | w:Canes Venatici |
| Right ascension | 13h 15m 49.3s[1] |
| Declination | +42° 01′ 45″[1] |
| Redshift | 504 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] | |
History
The Sunflower Galaxy was discovered by w:Pierre Méchain on w:June 14 w:1779.[3] The galaxy was then listed by w:Charles Messier as object 63 in the w:Messier Catalogue.
In the mid-1800s, w:Lord Rosse identified spiral structure within the galaxy, making this one of the first galaxies in which such structure was identified.[3]
External links
References
- ↑ a b c d e f g "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". Results for NGC 5055. Retrieved 2006-10-10.
- ↑ Frommert, Hartmut & Kronberg, Christine (2002). "Messier Object 63". Retrieved Dec. 26, 2006
- ↑ a b K. G. Jones (1991). Messier's Nebulae and Star Clusters (2nd edition ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-37079-5.
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