Galactic Shiner

The Blackeye Galaxy, M64
By Michael Vlasov

This beautiful sketch of M64, the Blackeye Galaxy, was drawn by Michael Vlasov from the Negev Desert in southern Israel. M64 is some 17 Million light years away in the constellation Coma Berenices. Studies have indicated that the galaxy has recently ungone a merger, resulting in the thick, dusty, star forming region that give this galaxy it’s unique appearance. Deep inside this turbulent spiral, a ring of stars 3000 light years in diameter revolves about the galactic nucleus in a direction opposite than the stars on the outskits of the galaxy.

Tremendous sketch Michael!