M 63

Photo by Pittendreigh

Discovered by Pierre Mechain in 1779.

HOW TO FIND IT:

If you found M94, you will be working in the same general area. All your guide stars will be in Canes Venatici.

Find Alpha and Beta first.

Then find 20, which will form a triangle of stars with Alpha and Beta. As mentioned in the entry on M94, 20 will be a set of four stars, which are designated as 18, 19, 20 and 23. They form a distinctive pattern which will help you correctly identify 20.

You will want to use this pattern of stars to guide you toward M63. The stars 18 and 19 will point in the general direction of M63.

If that doesn't work for you, then use Eta Ursae Majoris, which is the end star in the handle of the Big Dipper, and Alpha Canum Venaticorum. M63 is found almost half way between the two.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

M63 is cigar shaped with no bright nucleus.