This unusual spiral galaxy, called M66, differs from our own Milky Way and other spirals
This unusual spiral galaxy, called M66, differs from our own Milky Way and other spirals. The arms of M66 seem to flail about rather than taking on the orderly appearance common to others.
M66 is part of a group of galaxies known as the Leo Triplet. It was discovered in 1780 by Charles Messier, who lent his "M" to many night sky objects. Gravity from a neighbor, M65, and perhaps others may have distorted M66.
This picture was made by amateur astrophotographer Jeff Hapeman with the help of a professional astronomer at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. There, non-astronomers or backyard skywatching enthusiasts can spend a night at the telescope and help create astrophotographs. [More about the Kitt Peak program]
The galaxy M66 is about 35 million light-years away. The photograph was taken
earlier this month.
Credit: Jeff Hapeman/NOAO/AURA/NSF
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