Messier 94 (NGC 4736): a stunning galaxy – 9 Apr. 2026.
Messier 94, aka NGC 4736, is a wonderful galaxy, displaying a unique shape. Here we share our picture.
Messier 94 (NGC 4736): 8 April 2026.
The image above comes from the sigma-clipping combination of 14, 300-second exposures, remotely taken with the ARTEC250+Paramount ME+C3Pro61000EC robotic unit available as part of the Virtual Telescope Project facility in Manciano, Italy, under the darkest skies of the Italian peninsula.
The galaxy Messier 94 (M 94), also known as NGC 4736, is located in the constellation Canes Venatici, about 16 million light-years from Earth and stands out for its complex structure, which makes it a prime subject of study for astronomers.
At first glance, M 94 may appear to be a typical spiral galaxy, but more detailed observations reveal truly peculiar features. Its core is extremely bright and compact, hosting a supermassive black hole and surrounded by an inner ring of intense star formation. The presence of this structure suggests highly active internal dynamics, likely influenced by density waves or past gravitational interactions.
What makes Messier 94 even more interesting is the presence of a second, outer ring, much fainter and more difficult to observe. This peripheral halo extends far beyond the visible disk and contributes to giving the galaxy an almost “double” appearance, as if it were composed of two overlapping systems. Recent studies have shown that this outer region contains a significant amount of mass and is the site of even more intense star-forming activity than that found in the inner ring, indicating that the galaxy is more complex than previously thought.
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