The Leo Triplet 25.04.20

A lovely clear night back in April allowed me to squeeze in (despite shortening nights) this LRGB image of this iconic triplet of galaxies in the constellation of Leo.

 

Two of the galaxies are found within Charles Messier's catalogue - M65 (right) & M66 (bottom). The third galaxy is to be found in the NGC catalogue as NGC 3628 - also known as the "Hamburger Galaxy"

 

This is a true group of interacting galaxies and lying at a distance of around 35 million lightyears from us.

 

Our viewpoint means we see these three systems tilted at different angles - NGC 3628 appears edge on (displaying lots of dust and a prominent dust lane.

 

M65 & M66 are inclined enough so that their spiral arms are visible.

 

What's more the three galaxies exhibit rather different characteristics.

 

M66 - A barred spiral and the largest and brightest shows a high rate of star formation - evident by the extensive red regions of glowing hydrogen gas. It also shows deformed drawn out spiral arms - evidence of the interactive gravitational forces within the group.

 

M65 - An, intermediate spiral, is poor in dust and star formation. It appears the least by affected by interactions showing a more or less classical spiral shape.

 

NGC 3628 is an unbarred spiral which we are seeing edge on. The galaxy is transacted by a broad band of dust which stretches along its outer edge hiding young stars in the galaxy's arms.

 

Imaged with a Skywatcher Esprit 120ED and a ZWO 1600mm camera equipped with Baader LRGB filters.

 

 

34 x L 120s

23 x R 180s

22 x G 180s

20 x B 180s

 

All @-20° 139 gain (Unity)

 

Flat, Darks

 

Processed using APP and Photoshop.

 

Thanks for looking!

 

Done