Leo Triplet | |
---|---|
Observation data (Epoch J2000) | |
Constellation(s) | Leo |
Right ascension | 11h 17m [1] [2] |
Declination | +13° 25′ [1] [2] |
Brightest member | M66 [1] [2] |
Number of galaxies | 3-5 [1] [2] [3] |
Other designations | |
M66 Group, Arp 317, [4] LGG 231, [1] NOGG P1 533, [2] NOGG P2 543 [2] | |
The Leo Triplet (also known as the M66 Group) is a small group of galaxies about 35 million light-years away [5] in the constellation Leo. This galaxy group consists of the spiral galaxies M65, M66, and NGC 3628.
The table below lists galaxies that have been consistently identified as group members in the Nearby Galaxies Catalog, [3] the Lyons Groups of Galaxies (LGG) Catalog, [1] and the group lists created from the Nearby Optical Galaxy sample of Giuricin et al. [2]
Name | Type [6] | R.A. (J2000) [6] | Dec. (J2000) [6] | Redshift (km/s) [6] | Apparent Magnitude |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
M65 | SAB(rs)a | 11h 18m 56.0s | +13° 05′ 32″ | 807 ± 3 | 9.3 [7] |
M66 | SAB(s)b | 11h 20m 15.0s | +12° 59′ 30″ | 727 ± 3 | 8.9 [8] |
NGC 3628 | SAb pec | 11h 20m 17.0s | +13° 35′ 23″ | 843 ± 1 | 9.5 [9] |
Additionally, some of the references cited above indicate that one or two other nearby galaxies may be group members. NGC 3593 is frequently but not consistently identified as a member of this group.
The M96 Group is located physically near the Leo Triplet. [10] These two groups may actually be separate parts of a much larger group, [10] and some group identification algorithms actually identify the Leo Triplet as part of the M96 Group. [2] [11]
The Pinwheel Galaxy is a face-on spiral galaxy 21 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781 and was communicated that year to Charles Messier, who verified its position for inclusion in the Messier Catalogue as one of its final entries.
NGC 4631 is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. This galaxy's slightly distorted wedge shape gives it the appearance of a herring or a whale, hence its nickname. Because this nearby galaxy is seen edge-on from Earth, professional astronomers observe this galaxy to better understand the gas and stars located outside the plane of the galaxy.
Messier 95, also known as M95 or NGC 3351, is a barred spiral galaxy about 33 million light-years away in the zodiac constellation Leo. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781, and catalogued by compatriot Charles Messier four days later. In 2012 its most recent supernova was discovered.
Messier 109 is a barred spiral galaxy exhibiting a weak inner ring structure around the central bar approximately 83.5 ± 24 million light-years away in the northern constellation Ursa Major. M109 can be seen south-east of the star Phecda.
The M101 Group is a loose group of galaxies located in the constellation Ursa Major. The group is named after the brightest galaxy in the group, the Pinwheel Galaxy (M101). Most of the other members of the group are companions of the Pinwheel Galaxy. The group itself is one of many located within the Virgo Supercluster.
The NGC 4038 Group is a group of galaxies in the constellations Corvus and Crater. The group may contain between 13 and 27 galaxies. The group's best known galaxies are the Antennae Galaxies, a well-known interacting pair of galaxies.
NGC 4027 is a barred spiral galaxy approximately 83 million light-years away in the constellation Corvus. It is also a peculiar galaxy because one of its spiral arms goes out more than the other. This is probably due to a galactic collision in NGC 4027's past.
The M74 Group is a small group of galaxies in the constellation Pisces. The face-on spiral galaxy M74 is the brightest galaxy within the group. Other members include the peculiar spiral galaxy NGC 660 and several smaller irregular galaxies . The M74 Group is one of many galaxy groups that lie within the Virgo Supercluster.
The M109 Group is a group of galaxies about 55 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. The group is named after the brightest galaxy within the group, the spiral galaxy M109.
The NGC 4631 Group is a poorly defined group of galaxies, about 25 million light-years from Earth in the Coma Berenices and Canes Venatici constellations.
NGC 3953 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. The galaxy is known to exhibit an inner ring structure that encircles the bar. NGC 3953 is a member of the M109 Group, a large group of galaxies located within the constellation Ursa Major that may contain over 50 galaxies.
NGC 3384 is an elliptical galaxy in the constellation Leo. The galaxy was discovered by William Herschel in 1784 as part of the Herschel 400 Catalogue. The high age of the stars in the central region of NGC 3384 was confirmed after analysis of their color. More than 80% were found to be Population II stars which are over a billion years old. The supermassive black hole at the core has a mass of 1.6+0.1
−0.2×107 M☉.
The M51 Group is a group of galaxies located in Canes Venatici. The group is named after the brightest galaxy in the group, the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51A). Other notable members include the companion galaxy to the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51B) and the Sunflower Galaxy (M63).
The M96 Group is a group of galaxies in the constellation Leo. This group contains between 8 and 24 galaxies, including three Messier objects. It also contains the Leo Ring. The group is one of many groups that lies within the Virgo Supercluster.
The Coma I Group is a group of galaxies located about 14.5 Mpc (47.3 Mly) away in the constellation Coma Berenices. The brightest member of the group is NGC 4725. The Coma I Group is rich in spiral galaxies while containing few elliptical and lenticular galaxies. Coma I lies in the foreground of the more distant Coma and Leo clusters and is located within the Virgo Supercluster.
NGC 3981 is an unbarred spiral galaxy located 62 million light-years away in the constellation of Crater. It was discovered on February 7, 1785 by William Herschel.
NGC 668 is a spiral galaxy located 200 million light-years away in the constellation Andromeda. It was discovered by astronomer Édouard Stephan on December 4, 1880 and is a member of Abell 262.
NGC 669 is an edge-on spiral galaxy with an active galactic nucleus located 200 million light-years away in the constellation Triangulum. NGC 669 was discovered by astronomer Édouard Stephan on November 28, 1883 and is a member of Abell 262.
NGC 679 is an elliptical or a lenticular galaxy located 210 million light-years away in the constellation Andromeda. The galaxy was discovered by astronomer William Herschel on September 13, 1784 and is a member of Abell 262.
NGC 4221 is a barred lenticular galaxy located about 75.9 million light-years away in the constellation of Draco. It was discovered on April 3, 1832 by the astronomer John Herschel. NGC 4221 is notable for having an outer ring that surrounds the inner barred central region of the galaxy.
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