Galaxy M96 in Leo

M9 is an Sa type spiral galaxy with a large, amorphous central region and multiple faint spiral arms lying at a distance of 29 million light years. This galaxy is part of a cluster containing M95 and M105 as well as some added elliptical galaxies. M65 and M66 are also likely part of this same group.

If you move the mouse over this image, you will see both M95 and M96 together.

Images taken with TEC-140 Telescope mounted on Losmandy G11 mount. Camera used was a Canon EOS20D used at prime focus.

Ten 3 minute exposures dark and flat compensated, aligned and stacked, background removed and Digitaly Developed in ImagesPlus 2.50 beta 2.