M 64

M64 is the famous Black Eye galaxy, the dark structure being a prominent dust feature obscuring the stars behind.

J.D. Wray, in his Color Atlas of Galaxies, points out that M64 may be taken as prototype for a class of galaxies called "ESWAG", for Evolved Second Wave (star forming) Activity Galaxy. As becomes evident in color photos, the main spiral pattern is consisted of an intermediate aged stellar population. Stellar formation has first evolved outside following the density gradient, forming stars as long as there was sufficient interstellar matter available, and then dying out slowly. As the matter was flowing back from the evolved stars, by stellar wind, supernovae, and planetary nebula activity, more and more interstellar matter could accumulate again, so that finally there was enough matter to start the formation of new young stars again. This second wave of star formation has apparently reached now the region where the dark dust lane appears.

The dust feature is well visible even in smaller telescopes.

No supernovae have been recorded in this galaxy up to now.

Right ascension	12 : 54.3 (hours : minutes)
Declination	+21 : 57 (degrees : minutes)
Distance	12000.0 (light-years*10^3)
Visual magnitude	8.8