Messier 66, also known as M66, is a prominent member of the Leo Triplet, a small group of galaxies that includes M65 and NGC 3628. It exhibits distinctive spiral arms and is undergoing significant star formation activity, evidenced by numerous H II regions and young, bright blue stars. The galaxy’s appearance is distorted due to gravitational interactions with its neighboring galaxies, giving it a unique and captivating structure. M66 was discovered by Charles Messier in 1780 and has since become a popular target for both amateur and professional astronomers.
Names and Catalog numbers
- Messier: M66
- NGC: NGC 3627
- UGC: UGC 6346
- PGC: PGC 34695
- ARP: ARP 16
Position and the cosmic neighborhood
Messier 66 is located in the eastern part of the constellation Leo, forming part of the Leo Triplet along with M65 and NGC 3628. This group of galaxies is situated about 2.5 degrees southwest of the star Theta Leonis. The Leo Triplet’s position near the ecliptic plane makes it easily observable from Earth’s northern hemisphere during spring, offering astrophotographers an excellent opportunity to capture multiple galaxies in a single frame.
Nice to Know
- M66 is part of the Leo Triplet, a small group of interacting galaxies.
- The galaxy’s spiral arms are distorted due to gravitational interactions with its neighbors.
- M66 shows significant star formation activity, with numerous H II regions and young, bright blue stars.
- It has been the site of observed supernovae, including SN 1989B (type Ia) and the possible supernova SN 1997bs.
Brightness, distance and size
Messier 66 shines with an apparent magnitude of 8.9, making it visible through small telescopes or binoculars under dark sky conditions. Located approximately 36 million light-years from Earth, M66 spans about 95,000 light-years in diameter. In the night sky, it appears to cover an area of approximately 8.9 arcminutes. This combination of brightness and size makes M66 an excellent target for astrophotographers, especially when capturing it alongside its companions in the Leo Triplet.
