Exposure: Exposure:  16 x 10 min (1x1 bin) exposure with IR/UV Block filter, 8 x 4 min (2x2 bin) RGB exposures.

Processing: Data Collection -  Sequence Generator Pro (as FITs).  Calibrated, stacked (Kappa Sigma Combine) - Deep Sky Stacker. LRGB channel registration, equalization, and gradient removal - Astroart.  Curves, Levels, RGB combine - ImagesPlus. Luminance Layering, final stretch, and finishing  - Photoshop.  RGB calibration - eXcalibrator. This image is a  RGB combine with Luminance layering.  Color saturation in LAB color.  The IR/UV Blocking filter exposure stack was used for the luminance layer. Images processed at 3352 x 2532 resolution. Final Image size is approximately  2800 x 2100.

North is up in this image.   The Sunflower Galaxy, M63, is in the constellation of Canes Venatici and is a member of the M51 galaxy group. M63 possesses outlying tidal tails of which there is barely a hint of in this image. Also visible in this image toward the right edge is a small apparent cloud - it is an irregular galaxy and likely a satellite of M63  - PGC 046093. This wide field image of M63 also shows some smaller nearby galaxies, UGC 08365, UGC 08313, LEDA 166159, and PGC 045897.  There are also a few distant background galaxies in this field as well.   These objects  are identified in the annotated image.. M63 is estimated at about 24 million light years distant from Earth.  This image replaces an earlier image that can be seen in the Archives here . Horizontal FOV is approximately 85'