As written in Burnham's Celestial Handbook, page 667: The structure of M64 is somewhat unusual, and the galaxy has been classified
as type Sa by some authorities, Sb by others. The spiral arms show a beautifully smooth
and uniform texture with no trace of resolution into star clouds or knots of nebulosity. Separating and defining
the arms are thin, dusky bands which appear similarly smooth and soft-textured. In the region of the central
nucleus, however, a huge dust cloud suddenly makes it appearance, bordering the entire north and east side of the oval central mass.
This image was directed and imaged remotely via the internet between Arizona and California through the Advanced Observing Program at the National Optical Astronomy Observatories at Kitt Peak, Arizona.
Technical Details:
Subject: M64, Sprial Galaxy in Coma Berenices
Instrument: Meade, 16" f/6.3
Camera: CCD, SBIG ST8e
Exposure: LRGB Luminance Channel was 6 x 300s, R+G = 420s (3x3 bin) B= 2 x 420s
Location: National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Kitt Peak, AZ
Imager(s): Adam Block, John Gleason Advanced Observing Program (AOP)
