M66 · galaxy

Messier 66

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 Leo constellation.

RA11h 20m 15sDec+12° 59' 29"

Image: NASA/CXC/Ohio State Univ./C.Grier et al.; Optical: NASA/STScI, ESO/WFI; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech. Source: STSCI via images.nasa.gov.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: M66
All designations: M66 · NGC 3627
Object type: Galaxy
Constellation: Leo
Best viewing: Spring

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 11h 20m 15s
Declination (J2000): +12° 59' 29"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —
Redshift (z): 0.002408

III

Visibility tonight

The science

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 Leo constellation. 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 is has a spiral shape with a weak bar feature and loosely wound arms.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0