(IAAC) Obj: M63 (NGC 5055) Sunflower Galaxy - Inst: Brennweite 12.5 inch Dobsonian (homemade)

**anonymous@sedna.atmob.org**

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Observation Poster: Steven H. Yaskell <steven.yaskell@wtnord.net>

Observer: Steven H. Yaskell
Your skills: Advanced (many years)
Date/time of observation: March 14, 2007, 2200 UT/GMT
Location of site: Stockholm, Sweden (Lat 59:33, Elev 61m/200ft)
Site classification: Suburban
Sky darkness: 6-7 <Bortle Scale (9 worst)>
Seeing: 5 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: Brennweite 12.5 inch Dobsonian (homemade)
Magnification: x25, x40, x80, ,x100, x103
Filter(s): Deep Sky
Object(s): M63 (NGC 5055) Sunflower Galaxy
Category: External galaxy.
Class: sb type spiral galaxy
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Data: mag   size 
Position: RA 13h:13.5n  DEC 42:17
Description:
>From Cor Caroli (Alpha Canes Venaticorum)in binoculars (10x50), see a spoon-
like asterism about 3 degrees NW. To the left part of the triad of 
the asterism, up a degree, find a chalky patch with two stars N or it.
I see the chalk dust on a dark slate with my light pollution at x25. 
Higher powers (x40, x80) start to resolve the elongation and barring, but 
barely. Averted vision shows more "mottling" of the central disk but 
I can hardly see clear lanes. I after awhile (at x100, and 103 - 103 
a Plössel) the faintest outline of a bar heading N to the two stars. 
The Deep Sky filter brings out the glow and slightly "bubbling" nature
of the object. To me the elongation seems N-S or S-N after an intial 
impression of E-W or W-E, but the object is quite large and I do not
see all of it due possibly to light pollution and a condensation haze
that had moved in. 

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