M66 is a spiral galaxy in Leo that can be seen in the same field of view in a telescope with M65. The galaxy is about 30 million light-years away. The diameter of M66 is about 50,000 light-years. M66 was discovered by P. Mechain in March 1780. It is a mystery why Charles Messier did not notice these galaxies when Messier's comet of 1773 passed by them on November 2, 1773.
This is an LRGB color composite CCD image taken with an SBIG STL-11000M CCD on a Takahashi FCT-150 refractor at f7.
M66 (NGC 3627)
Constellation: Leo
RA: 11h 20m 15s Dec: +12d 59' 24" (J2000)
March 11 & 15, 2008
Image by Sid Leach
Scottsdale, Arizona
Recent Images.
Complete list of images.
Description of equipment used to acquire images.
Home
Feedback and comments should go to Sid