Messier 94 (M94), also known as NGC 4736 or the Cat's Eye Galaxy, is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Canes Venatici, with an apparent magnitude of around 8.2, making it observable with small telescopes. It is situated approximately 16 million light-years away from Earth. M94 is notable for its bright core and well-defined spiral arms, which are rich in star formation regions, giving it a visually striking appearance.

M94 displays a distinct central bar structure, which is typical of barred spiral galaxies. It has outer spiral arms that are prominent and well-defined, with regions of active star formation. The galaxy spans about 45,000 light-years in diameter, making it a relatively modest-sized galaxy in comparison to larger spirals like the Milky Way.

The galaxy exhibits significant regions of ongoing star formation, particularly within its spiral arms. M94 contains an active nucleus, which has been studied for potential active galactic nucleus (AGN) characteristics.