M66 (NGC 3627)
Also known as M66 · M 66 · NGC 3627
M66 (NGC 3627) is a galaxy in the constellation Leo, about 30.59 million light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Galaxy (shape SA_B) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Leo |
| Position (J2000) | 11h 20m 14s, +12° 59′ |
| Distance | 30.59 million light-years (its light set off about 30.59 million years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 8.92 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Size on the sky | 11.4′ × 6′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Filter | No filter (It shines in starlight of every colour, so a nebula filter would only dim it; a dark sky helps more.) |
| Studied in | 1,540 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
M66 (NGC 3627) is highest in the sky at midnight in March. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 83° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 53°. To see it you need binoculars.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Leo
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits