M 94 is a very special galaxy only 16 million years away in constellation Canes Venatici. It has an outer and an inner ring. The inner ring is a region of very active star formation, probably triggered by infalling gas from the outer parts of the galaxy.

More detailed pictures show a spiral structure within the inner ring. The formation of the overall structure is not yet fully understood … as dynamics in galaxies is in general not yet understood as dark matter play an important role in that game. And we still do not yet know what dark matter really is …

Acquisition Details

Scope: Borg 90FL/500 with 1.08x Flattener
Filter: IDAS NGS1
Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC Pro
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro
Guiding Scope: MiniBorg 50
Guiding Camera: ZWO ASI 290MM
Guiding Software: PHD2
Acquisition Software: APT
Light Frames: 42x300sec
Flats, Dark Flats, Bias, Darks
Camera settings: Gain 100, Offset 20
No moon during acquisition
Bortle 4-5
Acquisition Date: May 3, 2021

Processing

Stacking Software: DSS
Imaging: PixInsight

Processing was a bit “wild” and chaotic. Should be redone with my knowledge of today … maybe.