Observer's guide
About Sunflower Galaxy
Sunflower Galaxy (M63) is catalogued as a spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici. Its J2000 position is RA 13:15:49.33, Dec +42:01:45.4, corresponding to 198.9553 degrees RA and 42.0294 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 37,000,000 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 13.18 by 7.94 arcminutes.
Observing tips
StarWatchr rates this as a moderate target at magnitude 8.6. It is associated with spring observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around April. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 80 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.
A small telescope under reasonably dark skies is a good starting point; use the live altitude chart to choose its highest point.
What to expect
The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is LIN. SIMBAD records the morphology as SA. A published radial velocity value is 500 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 1299 bibliographic references.
At roughly 13.2 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 13.18 by 7.94 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.