M65, M66 y NGC3268. The Leo Triplett
Spiral galaxies in Leo

This is a small group of galaxies composed by two Messier objects, the spiral galaxies M65  (NGC 3623) and M66, as well as the edge on spiral galaxy NGC 3628.

M65, in the lower left of the image,  is classified as Sa type and seems to be pretty regular, with no deformations due to the gravitational influence of its neighbors. It has a conspicous central lens and uniform spiral arms, as well as evident dust lanes. Zones of star formation can be distinguished in the spiral arms.

M66, on the upper left, is larger than M65 and has been clasified as Sb type. Its spiral arms seeb to be deformed by the gravitational interaction of its neighbours. 
Zones of star formation can be also distinguished in the spiral arms.

NGC3628, in the upper right or the image, is the faintest one of the group. It is an edege on galaxy and has an important band of dark dust clouds in its equatorial zone, that obscures the bright of the central area. Deformation due to the gravitational influence of the group can also be appreciated.

Te distance to Earth of the group is aproximately  35.000.000 light years.



Date and location 5-apr-2008. Caraquiz, Madrid
Telescope LX200R,  f=2000mm. Autoguíde with Luna0.4, Miniborg50 and Guidemaster
Camera Artemis11002. IDAS LPS Hutech filter, with IR cut and RGB Astronomik filters
Image processing
L: 11x600s; RGB: 10x300s, stacked with AIP4WIN.  Process with Pixinsight



                  M65 (100%)                      M66 (100%)                    NGC3268 (100%)

Date and location 8-mar-2008. Caraquiz, Madrid
Telescope LX200R,  f=2000mm. Autoguíde with Luna0.4, Miniborg50 and Guidemaster
Camera Artemis11002. IDAS LPS Hutech filter, with IR cut
Image processing
L: 11x600s stacked with AIP4WIN.  Process with Pixinsight



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