Date: 6/14//2012
Description: The Sunflower Galaxy (also known as Messier 63, M63, or NGC 5055) is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici consisting of a central disc surrounded by many short spiral arm segments. The Sunflower Galaxy is part of theM51 Group, a group of galaxies that also includes the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51).
Sky Conditions:
Clear sky, summer haze
FWHM: 2.5 - 3.5 arc sec/pixel
Imaging:
Exposure: 60 min (12 x 5min) at 2x2 bin using CLS Filter
Guiding: 8 sec at 1x1 bin
Equipment:
SBIG STF8300M CCD (luminance filter)
AT10RC at F8
Starlight Focuser & Multiport
Guide-scope (475mm) w/STi guider using ADM guide adjuster
AP1200 mount
SW:
Maxim DL V5 (using DP filter), FocusMax, CCD-autopilot V4, Robofocus, AP ASCOM V2, SkyX, Photoshop CS4 (using Astro-Tools light pollution removal) - no noise reduction and no sharpening