Leo Triplet galaxies. The three spiral galaxies seen here are NGC 3628 (upper left), M65 (lower right) and M66 (lower left). NGC 3628 is seen edge-on,

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Leo Triplet galaxies. The three spiral galaxies seen here are NGC 3628 (upper left), M65 (lower right) and M66 (lower left). NGC 3628 is seen edge-on, so its spiral arms are only visible as a dark dust band obscuring its bright nucleus. M66 is seen nearly face-on, and its spiral arms are distorted. This is thought to be by gravitational interaction with the other galaxies. M65 is seen almost half-way between face and edge-on, its arms looking tightly wound around its nucleus. These three galaxies lie around 35 million light years from Earth.

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Size: 6330px × 6430px
Photo credit: © CANADA-FRANCE-HAWAII TELESCOPE/JEANCHARLES CUILLANDRE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 3628, astronomical, astronomy, astrophysical, astrophysics, canada-france-hawaii, cfht, distorted, distortion, galaxies, galaxy, gravitational, group, interaction, leo, m65, m66, ngc, space, spiral, spirals, telescope, trio, triplet