Messier 63 (M63), also known as the Sunflower Galaxy, is a striking spiral galaxy located approximately 27 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. It was discovered by the French astronomer Pierre Méchain in 1779 and later included in Charles Messier's catalog of deep-sky objects. M63 is part of the M51 Group, a collection of galaxies that includes the famous Whirlpool Galaxy (M51).

M63 is notable for its flocculent spiral structure, characterized by many short, patchy spiral arms rather than the grand design seen in other spirals like M51. These arms are dotted with star-forming regions and clusters of young, blue stars, giving the galaxy its sunflower-like appearance. Recent studies have also revealed faint outer arms, suggesting M63 has undergone interactions with neighboring galaxies, influencing its structure and star formation activities.