Galaxy M66 in Leo

This is one of the three galaxies in the Leo triplet (if you move the mouse over this image, you can see all three of the galaxies in the triplet).

This galaxy and its neighbor, M65, are likely outlying members of the Virgo cluster of galaxies. They are both barred spirals (Sb). This galaxy has significant dust lanes and thick spiral arms and likely lies at a distance of 29 million light years. Its diameter is estimated at about 50,000 light years.

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

Eight 2 minute exposures dark and flat compensated, aligned and stacked, background removed and Digitaly Developed in ImagesPlus 2.10A.