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M66

NGC 3627

Proper NameNone
Messier NumberM66
NGC/IC NumberNGC 3627
ConstellationLeo
Right Ascension11h 20m 15s
Declination+12° 59' 29"
Distancec.31,800,000 light years
c.9,800,000 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +9.8
Absolute: -21.1
DiameterApparent: 9.1'
Actual: c.84,000 light years
Hubble TypeSAB(s)a weakly Barred Spiral
Optimum VisibilityMarch / April
NotesOne of a group of three prominent spiral galaxies in Leo that together form the Leo Triplet. M66 shows a relatively small galactic bar, from which two spiral arms marked with dust lanes stretch out to give it its spiral shape.

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