M63

M63, the Sunflower Galaxy, is a favorite spring site for both visual observers and imagers. Located in Canes Venatici, it shares the constellation with several other famous sites, including M51 (the Whirlpool), M94, M3 and M106. This shot was taken at Chiefland during the February new moon. Seeing was a bit soft due to a passage of a cold front, which dropped temperatures into the mid 30's (cold for Floridians!).

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Image info:

10" Newtonian on a Losmandy Titan Mount

Starlight Express
SXV-H9C

49x2 mins

f/4

Acquired in Astroart and processed in Maxim as an RGB image (no darks and no flats)

guided with an STV on a piggybacked Sky90 refractor

2.5.05

Chiefland