Messier 66

This spiral has asymmetric arms and a core that appears to be off center.

Distance

35 million light-years

Apparent Magnitude

8.9

constellation

Leo

object type

Spiral Galaxy

M66
Showing a large portion of M66, this Hubble photo is a composite of images obtained at visible and infrared wavelengths. The images have been combined to represent the real colors of the galaxy.
NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration; Acknowledgment: Davide De Martin and Robert Gendler

In 1780, Charles Messier discovered spiral galaxy M66 along with its neighbor M65, both of which belong to the Leo Triplet of galaxies. (The third member, NGC 3628, was discovered by William Herschel in 1784 and is not included in the Messier catalog). M66 is located 35 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Leo and has an apparent magnitude of 8.9. Best observed during April, M66 can be spotted with a small telescope.

This view highlights the fascinating anatomy of M66. Because the galaxies in the Leo Triplet interact with one another, each has an effect on its neighbors’ structures. M66 displays asymmetric spiral arms and a core that appears to be off center — features likely caused by the gravitational pull of the other two galaxies in the Leo Triplet.

For more information about Hubble’s observations of M66, see:

locator star chart for M66
This star chart for M66 represents the view from mid-northern latitudes for the given month and time.
Image courtesy of Stellarium
Annotated star chart for M66 in the southern hemisphere, facing the northern sky in April at 10 PM.
This star chart for M66 represents the view from mid-southern latitudes for the given month and time.
Image courtesy of Stellarium

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