Messier 65 and Messier 66
This image shows Messier 66 (NGC 3627) to the left and Messier 65 (NGC 3623) on the right. Both galaxies are members of the famous Leo Triplet. They have been discovered by Charles Messier in 1780. Gravitational interaction of M66 from a past encounter has created massive deformation of its spiral structure. M66 is about 31 million light-years away, while M65 distance from earth is estimated to be 41 million light-years.
The field spans about 40 arc minutes with North at 12 o’clock.
[description from wikipedia]
Details
Telescope:
RCOS 14.5″ f/8
Mount:
ASA DDM85
Camera:
Andor U16M
Filters:
Astrodon Gen2
Exposure:
L(HaR)GB 900:(800:360):340:320 min.
Location:
ROSA Remote Observatories Southern Alps
Author:
© Martin Rusterholz, Astrophotographer
Hello, my name is Martin Rusterholz. I’m a Swiss amateur astrophotographer living near Zurich, the biggest town in Switzerland. My interest in astronomy started when I was 16. At that time, I built my first Newtonian telescope and mount. I studied physics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) which was the only study including at least some aspects of astronomy and astrophysics.
“Looking at the nights sky is an experience touching everybody deeply inside, something common to all human beings independent to the language spoken by the individuals”.
Deep-sky astrophotography is my passion. 