M65 = NGC3623 (11h 18.9m +13°05´, 9.3 mag. )


This spiral galaxy in Leo was discovered by Mechain 1780 together with M66 nearby. They were missed by Messier, even though his comet of 1773 "grazed" them on Nov. 2, 1773. He observed them only on March 1, 1780. Both form a small triangular group with a spectacular edge-on galaxy NGC3628. Located about 24 million ly away, M65 measures 60,000 ly across. Together with M95, M96 and M105 they form so-called Leo Group of Galaxies. M65 can be detected in binoculars 45' SEE of 73 Leonis (see finder chart below).

The above image was taken on April 16, 1998 from Sooke, BC. Cookbook 245 LDC CCD camera was used on Ultima 8 f6.3 telescope autoguided with Cookbook 211 LDC CCD camera on piggybacked 500mm f8 telephoto lens. It is composed of unfiltered integrations (8 x 4 min.) processed with AIP4WIN.

North is to the right.


Map created in Guide 7.0 - 7°45' x 7°45'. North is up.


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© Jan Wisniewski