M94 = NGC4736 ( 12h 50.9m +41°07´, 8.1 mag. )

This spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici was found by Mechain in 1781. Messier observed it on March 24, 1781. Measuring about 33,000 ly across and seen from the distance of 14 million ly, M94 shows complex pattern of tightly wrapped spiral arms. Those are prominent in the high brightness area around nucleus. Faint outer zone also has spiral pattern with two prominent dust lanes and numerous star clouds. M94 can be noticed in binoculars about 3° NNW of a Canum Venaticorum (see finder chart below).

M94 image was taken on March 28, 1998 from Sooke, BC using Cookbook 245 LDC CCD camera on Ultima 8 f6.3 telescope, autoguided with Cookbook 211 LDC CCD camera on piggybacked 500mm f8 telephoto lens. Ten unfiltered integrations (240 sec. each) were combined with AIP4WIN.

North is to the right

Map created in Guide 7.0 - 7°45' x 7°45'. North is up.

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© Jan Wisniewski