M65 + M66 + NGC 3628 (Galaxy)
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Also known as: Leo trio, NGC 3623 + NGC 3627 + NGC 3628
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Right ascension: 11h 19m
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Declination: 13° 15'
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Constellation: Leo
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Date/time: 2008.03.31 20:30 UT
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Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
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FoV: 50'
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Magnification and filter(s): 45x
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Seeing: 6/10
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Transparency: 4/5
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Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
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Observer: Ferenc Lovró
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Description:
This triplet of galaxies always make me smile: I'm calling it a "dumb face" cluster. The M65-66 double is a classic, easy Messier-object: both can be well seen - perhaps the latter having a brighter, almost star-like core region. It's not clear for me why the NGC 3628 was left out of Messier's catalogue: it's not at all a difficult object either. Its brightness is quite close to that of M65 and while wandering around looking for its more famous companions, you may most probably bump into this one also.
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Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]
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