M66

Click on image for larger version.

M66 is a distorted spiral galaxy in the constellation of Leo. It is being tugged on by its nearby neighbors M65 and NGC 3628. In fact, the arms of this galaxy appear to rise above the main disk. The many bright blue and pink regions indicate the active star forming regions. M66 is estimated to be 35 million light years away. To see another Trio of galaxies in a single field of view (since they are farther away) visit NGC 3190.

Equipment

20in RC Optical Systems telescope Operating at f/8.4
Paramount ME Robotic Telescope Mount
SBIG ST10XME CCD camera with color filter wheel

L R G B color production was used to create this image.

Luminance = 90 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 20 minutes binned 2x2
  • One iteration of L-R deconvolution (sharpening) algorithm using CCDsharp was applied to the luminance image.

  • Digital Development (DDP) via Maxim/DL was also used in order to display the the very dim and very bright details of the image simultaneously.

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    Minimum credit line: Jeff Hapeman/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 01/18/2004