Galaxy M 94

M 94 — a spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. It is located about 16 million light-years from Earth. Discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781 and cataloged by Charles Messier two days later. The galaxy is notable for having two powerful ring-like structures. The galaxy's structure includes two rings—an inner and an outer one. The rings may have formed under the gravitational influence of the galaxy's disk. The inner ring is a site of active star formation, fueled by interstellar gas that dynamically flows into the ring from an oval bar-like structure. A 2009 study by an international team of astrophysicists showed that the galaxy's outer ring is not closed, as historically described in the literature, but is instead a complex structure of spiral arms. The outer disk is active. It contains about 23% of the galaxy's total stellar mass and accounts for roughly 10% of new star formation. Integration 33 min, stacked in DSS.