Galaxy M63: "The Sunflower Galaxy"

Galaxy M63 (NGC 5055) is often called "the Sunflower Galaxy," perhaps due to its rather unique appearing spiral structure. This picturesque galaxy is located in the constellation Canes Venatici, which lies below the handle of the more famous 'Big Dipper.' While the structure of this galaxy is clearly a spiral, it is difficult to pick out any individual spiral arms; this type of galaxy is termed a 'flocculent galaxy,' (fluffy spiral). In the upper right is a faint, galaxy designated UGC 8313. Literature seems to designate this as an 'irregular galaxy' yet it looks rather like an edge-on spiral to me.