M65 (NGC 3623) and M66 (NGC 3627)


M65 and M66 are telescopic spiral galaxies which can be seen in binoculars (very nicely in fact with 20x80 glasses).

The two are in the same field of vision, 2.5º SSE of theta Leo: binoculars.

M66 is the brighter of the two, with an irregular spiral; M65 has a classical, narrow, oval shape as it is seen more on an angle. Both are about 30 million light years away.

Leo has many more galaxies, most of which take a medium to large telescope to enjoy. If your interest is in deep sky objects, you'll be spending a lot of time in Leo.


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© 1999-2000 by Richard Dibon-Smith.