M65 and M66 are just east of M95 and M96. The hop is an easy one, beginning at 3rd magnitude Chort (Theta Leonis). Slew south slightly more than two degrees to 5th magnitude 73 Leonis and one degree east to the galaxies. A magnitude 6.9 star is immediately to the north of M65 and M66.
| Spring Sky Tour: M65 & M66 (Leo) |
|
| M65: Spiral Galaxy (Leo) RA: 11h 18.9m / DEC: +13° 05'.6 |
|
| M66: Spiral Galaxy (Leo) RA: 11h 20.3m / DEC: +12° 59'.5 |
|
Home | About Cosmic Voyage | Getting Started | Deep-sky Observing | Planetary Observing | Astrophotography | Sketching | Glossary | Web Links
URL: http://www.cosmicvoyage.net
Layout, design & revisions © W. D. Ferris
Comments and Suggestions: wdferris1@gmail.com
Revised: February 4, 2002 [WDF]
At 190X, M65 covers a 5'x2'.5 area. This 9.4 magnitude Sa-type galaxy features a bright core region encased within an oval disk. The core appears slightly offset from the disk, being aligned north-south compared to the disk's north-northeast to south-southwest orientation. A 12th magnitude GSC star is visible just 2' from M65's southern tip. An 11th magnitude GSC star shines 5'.5 due west of the core. Nine additional field stars frame the view. M66 neighbors about 20' to the east-southeast.
Nearby M66 is an Sb-type galaxy in the Hubble scheme. This 9.0 magnitude stellar metropolis also features a bright core embedded within a 5'x2'.5 nebulosity. M66 is aligned north-south with a 9th magnitude GSC star perched at the northern limit. An 11th magnitude GSC star stands another 3' to the north. The field is dotted by 6 other stars. NGC 3628 beckons some 36' to the north.