|
|
| M65, (NGC 3623) a spiral galaxy. Image above has been cropped and downsized for display. Click on image for full frame full resolution picture with its neighbor M66. |
|
M65, together with its neighbors
M66 and
NGC 3628
form a most interesting trio of galaxies known as the
Leo Trio.
Although it is close to and under the gravitational
influence of its two neighbors, M65 looks like a very normal undisturbed spiral
galaxy. It has a prominent
central area and tightly
wound spiral arms, plus a
prominent dust lane marking the facing edge. The lane
may hide regions of star formation usually associated with such features in
spiral galaxies. M65 is a typical spiral galaxy like our own Milky Way.
The surrounding disk has a fairly old and settled stellar population, there
are new stars being formed in the dust circle, and within the dust lane are
the greatest proportion of the reddest and oldest stars of the galaxy. M65 is can be found below the belly of Leo, and about 13 degrees above the celestial equator. Visually it is 8 x 1.5 arc minutes in size and at 9.3 magnitude surface brightness. It is 35 million light years distant from us. |
|
10"
F6.3 Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope, (1600mm F.L.) Modified Canon
300D camera with IR-UV filter, placed at the scopes prime focus |