Galaxy
Messier 66
Barred spiral galaxy · M66 · NGC 3627
Barred spiral galaxy in Leo
Photo: ESO · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Messier 66 or M66, also known as NGC 3627, is an intermediate spiral galaxy located around 31 million light years from Earth in the equatorial half of the constellation Leo. This galaxy is a member of the Leo Triplet, a small group of galaxies that includes M65 and NGC 3628. M66 has a morphological classification of SABb, indicating that it has a spiral shape with a weak bar feature and loosely wound arms.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~31–41 million light-years
Apparent mag.
+8.9
Apparent size
9.1′ × 4.2′
Best seen with
Binoculars
Catalogue
M66 · NGC 3627
Did you know
- Listed as Messier 66 in the Messier catalogue, also known as NGC 3627.
- Found in the constellation Leo.
- Within reach of ordinary binoculars under dark skies.
