Constellation: Leo
RA: 11h20m15s
DEC: +12°59'21"
distance: about 30 mio. lightyears
size: 8,3x4,2 arcsec.
Messier 66 is one of the members of the famous galaxy trio in the constellation Leo which is completed by the galaxies Messier 65 and NGC3628.
The galaxy was discovered 1780. Under a dark sky, M66 can be observed with large binoculars.
Image information:
L = 17x1200s
R = 7x1200s
G = 7x1200s
B = 7x1200s
80cm f/7 Astrooptik Keller corrected cassegrain, FLI Proline 16803, Baader filters, Prompt 7 CTIO/UNC Chile, FWHM between 0.9-1.1 arcsec;
processing: Volker Wendel
Click on the image below to see M66 at 2800x2800 pixel