M63 is a class Sb spiral galaxy. Unlike grand design Sb galaxies with 2 spiral arms, M63 is of the rarer "flocculent" design with arms that cannot be traced. The sigmoid whisp below the bright star at upper right is irregular galaxy UGCA 342 which may be a satellite analogous to one of our Magellanic clouds. Numerous faint background galaxies are visible, including an edge-on spiral which is reddened by M63's intervening dust. Exposures: L:R:G:B=152:48:48:52=5 hours total exposure at f/8.3.