M64 (NGC4826), in the spring constellation Coma Berenices, is also known as Blackeye Galaxy, or Sleeping Beauty Galaxy. It was discovered by J. E. Bode on April 4, 1779. Some measures of the rotational speed of this object have shown that exists two streams of gases and dusts which rotate in opposite direction one another. Probably this fact get to the galaxy its appearance. The central spiral of dust is better detectable on short-exposure images. However, long exposures reveal this galaxy in all its beauty.

Camera : Starlight Xpress SXV-H9 with Astronomik LRGB dichroic filters


Telescope : Takahashi FS-102 at F/8 on a GM2000-FS2


Guiding : ST4 on a Vixen 80/910mm.


Exposure : L 6x600sec. - RGB 3x300sec. each all unbinned


Processing : MaxIm (align, combine, DDP) - Photoshop (final enhancing)


Location : Cima Colletta - 1400 mt. height


Date : May 8, 2005

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