Messier Index/M63

Sunflower Galaxy 250px w:J2000 13 15 49.3NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database Results for NGC 5055 http://nedwww.ipac.caltech.edu/ 2006-10-10 +42 01 45 SA(rs)bc 37 MlyFrommert, Hartmut & Kronberg, Christine (2002). "Messier Object 63". Retrieved Dec. 26, 2006 504 km/s 9.3 12′.6 × 7′.2 w:Canes Venatici M63, NGC 5055, UGC 8334, PGC 46153 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). History The Sunflower Galaxy was discovered by w:Pierre Méchain on w:June 14 w:1779.K. G. Jones 1991 Messier's Nebulae and Star Clusters 2nd edition Cambridge University Press Cambridge 0-521-37079-5 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. thumb|left|Messier 63 seen in infrared by the w:Spitzer Space Telescope. External links Sunflower Galaxy @ SEDS Messier pages References Messier 63