At 16 million lights years distant, M94 appears at first glance to have merged with another galaxy sometime in the galaxy’s past, resulting in the prominent outer ring structure. Historically this was thought to be the case. While this explanation is a possibility, a 2009 study provides a different and intriguing explanation. (Ignacio Trujillo et al., Unveiling the nature of M94’s Outer Region, The Astrophysical Journal-
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0004-637X/704/1/618)
Trujillo suggests that the outer ring is present due to a distortion in the galaxy caused by the oval shape of the inner ring. A deep multi wavelength study reveals a direct connection between the inner and outer disks, as well as visible spiral arm structure in the outer region. 23% of the galaxy’s stellar mass is in the outer disk and is actually more efficient in active star formation than the inner disk. I believe I can see some hints of arm structure and new OB cluster formation in certain areas of the outer ring. I can also see where the two regions are connected.
Perhaps you can relate to this too, but I love when we can learn new things about the objects or targets we are imaging. New information, new science, sheds new light and and brings with it a small sense of personal discovery. The core of M94 was particularly challenging due to its brightness. I ended up processing 3 different luminance images, stretching each one a bit less than the first. Then blended the layers in PS with the hope of maintaining some detail in the core.
Image information:
Date: May 2002
Location: Fairview, UT
Telescope: Planewave 17
Camera: QHY 600M
LRGB: 36:10:10:10 (11 hours)
Comments