Observation by Adam Rawlinson: M64

Uploaded by

Adam Rawlinson

Observer

Adam Rawlinson

Observed

2023 Apr 21 - 21:00

Uploaded

2023 Apr 21 - 21:57

Objects

The Black Eye Galaxy (M64)

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Constellation

Coma Berenices

Field centre

RA: 12^h56^m
Dec: +21°40'
Position angle: -54°06'

Field size

1°11' × 0°57'

Equipment

Primalucelab Airy 90
SX694C CCD
EQAZ6 Pier mounted in EQ mode

Exposure

3500sec

Location

Sandhurst UK

Target name

M64

Title

M64

About this image

Nice clean image of M64 (if you squint past the trails)

Minimum processing, a defect map and single dark frame. No flat

M64 is a lovely looking galaxy in the Canes Venatici I group, part of the Virgo Supercluster.

The dark patch is of course a dust band. This galaxy has circa 100billion stars and is quite close to us by cosmic standards.

Whilst it's recession velocity has been measured at ~408km/s its actual distance from us has been hard to establish as Cepheid variables have not been seen in this galaxy. With close galaxies (less that 50mly) are normally visible and used as a standard candles. One reason is the lack of young massive stars in M64.

Files associated with this observation

M64_3500s_20230421_2130.jpg (1.3 MB)

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Graham Winstanley

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