M 66

The galaxy M66, (aka NGC 3627), is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the southern, equatorial half of Leo, discovered by Charles Messier in 1780. This galaxy is a member of a small group of galaxies that includes M65 and NGC 3628, known as the Leo Triplet, or the M66 Group. M66 is a spiral galaxy @ 8 Mpc or 29 Mill. light-years, while M65 is at a distance of about 10 Mpc or 32 Mill. light-years.

Spring 2022: long period of nice weather after a long, wet, cold winter.  One of the targets chosen in February was M66 in constellation Leo, member of the Leo group of galaxies.  I obtained light frames using the L (luminance) filter (UV-IR cut), 30 frames 120 sec each. Auto-guiding using Lacerta Mgen guider. Image processing was done using PixInsight V 1.8.9.

Galaxies M66 and M65, 04 March 2022, Kempen, William Optics APO 110 mm, f/7, L (UV-IR) filter,

ASI1600mm pro, gain 139, T = -10C, 3600 sec. Auto-guiding. Image processing with PixInsight V1.8.9