The Leo Triplett

These three galaxies consist of M65, M66, and NGC 3628. Lying at about the same distance from Earth (about 35 million light years), all three of these objects are close enough in space to be influencing each other gravitationally and make a rather unique photograph. Another galaxy, NGC 3593, which is not shown on the image below, is probably physically related to the group and all four may actually be part of the M96 group of galaxies which lie about 41 million light years distant and are seen about 25 minutes of RA west of the Leo Triplett, near Leo's other hind leg.

 

Image taken Feb. 11, 2013, with the C-14 operating at F:3.5 and the ST-8 camera binned 2 X 2. Exposure was 300 seconds.