M94 Cat's Eye Galaxy

Image information:

Date: 03/30/2011
Equipment: SBIG ST2000XM with CFW10 and Astrodon I series Gen II LRGB filter set through WO ZS105ED telescope on Losmandy GM8 mount. WO ZS105ED working at f7.
Image type: LRGB
Exposure time: 7X12min Luminance binned 1X1, RG&B 7X6min each binned 2X2
Comment:  

Object information:

Object designations:

M94, NGC4736, Cat's Eye Galaxy
Object type:
Spiral galaxy
Object size:
11.2' X 9.1'
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Comment:
M94 is unusual spiral galaxy with the structure that resembles several concentric rings. These rings appear to form at resonance locations within the disk of the galaxy. Closest to the bright core is bluish ring which is the site of intense star formation. Bluish color comes from energetic young stars abundant in that ring. Next ring is much fainter, comprised of an older yellowish stellar population. In the outskirts of the galaxy there is again another ring with moderate star formation activity. M94 is one of a relatively rare class of galaxies in which two waves of star formation are evident. Arround the galaxy there is another, very faint, but very large outer ring. M94 is 15 million ly distant and has a diameter of 30 kly.

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List of related images:

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