Spiral galaxy · Leo

M66

Also known as: NGC 3627

mag 9.09′ across

About

M66 is a spiral galaxy of magnitude 9.0 in Leo, about 9′ across.

M66 is in the constellation Leo.
Best evenings: around late April it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from north of 67° S.
Spring Triangle: Three galaxies close together under the Lion’s hindquarters; a telescope at low power.
Sickle of Leo: Three galaxies 3° south-east of Chertan, the Lion’s hip; a telescope.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesNot visible to the naked eye.
Binoculars (10×50)A faint smudge, only from a dark site.
Telescope (6–8 inch)A bright core in a fainter halo. The spiral arms are hard to see without a camera, even from a dark site.

For a dark country sky with no Moon. From a city, faint galaxies and nebulae can disappear completely.

Designations	M66, NGC 3627, PGC 34695, UGC 6346
Type	Spiral galaxy (Sb)
Magnitude	9.0The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	9′ × 4′position angle 168°; the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	23.0 mag/arcsec²Average over its disc, in the blue band: the lower the number, the easier it is to see.
Constellation	Leo
Right ascension (J2000)	11h 20m 15.0s
Declination (J2000)	+12° 59′ 29″