M94 - The Cat's Eye Galaxy

M94 is a spiral galaxy located 16 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici.

M94 is an interesting object. Also known as the ‘Cat’s Eye Galaxy’ or ‘Crocodile’s Eye Galaxy’, has two ring structures, an inner ring with a diameter of about 5,400 light-years and an outer ring with a diameter of about 45,000 light-years. 

The inner ring is the site of strong star formation activity and is sometimes referred to as a starburst ring. This star formation is fuelled by gas driven dynamically into the ring by the inner oval-shaped structure.

There are several possible external events that could have led to the origin of M94's outer disk including the accretion of a satellite galaxy or the gravitational interaction with a nearby star system. However, current thinking concludes that the inner disk of M94 is an oval distortion which led to the creation of the galaxy's peripheral disk.

https://app.astrobin.com/i/6fg0lo