Leo Triplet

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Leo Triplet
LeoTripletHunterWilson.jpg
The Leo Triplet, with M65 (right top), M66 (right bottom) and
NGC 3628 (left). North is to the left.
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 galaxies3-5 [1] [2] [3]
Other designations
M66 Group, Arp 317, [4] LGG 231, [1]
NOGG P1 533, [2] NOGG P2 543 [2]
See also: Galaxy group, Galaxy cluster, List of galaxy groups and clusters

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.

Contents

Members

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]

Member list

Members of the Leo Triplet
Name Type [6] R.A. (J2000) [6] Dec. (J2000) [6] Redshift (km/s) [6] Apparent Magnitude
M65 SAB(rs)a11h 18m 56.0s+13° 05 32807 ± 39.3 [7]
M66 SAB(s)b11h 20m 15.0s+12° 59 30727 ± 38.9 [8]
NGC 3628 SAb pec11h 20m 17.0s+13° 35 23843 ± 19.5 [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.

Nearby groups

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]

See also

Related Research Articles

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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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 4631</span> Barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Messier 95</span> Barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Leo

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Messier 109</span> Barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">M101 Group</span> Loose group of galaxies in the constellation Ursa Major

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 4038 Group</span> Galaxy group in the constellations Corvus and Crater

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 4027</span> Barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Corvus

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">M109 Group</span> Galaxy group in the constellation Ursa Major

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.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 3953</span> Barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 3384</span> Elliptical galaxy in the constellation Leo

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
.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M51 Group</span> Galaxy cluster in constellation Canes Venatici

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).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M96 Group</span> Galaxy group in the constellation Leo

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coma I</span> Galaxy cluster in constellation Coma Berenices

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 3981</span> Spiral galaxy in the constellation Crater

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 668</span> Spiral galaxy in constellation Andromeda

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 669</span> Galaxy in the constellation Triangulum

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 679</span> Lenticular galaxy in the constellation Andromeda

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 4221</span> Lenticular galaxy in constellation Draco

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 A. Garcia (1993). "General study of group membership. II – Determination of nearby groups". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement. 100: 47–90. Bibcode:1993A&AS..100...47G.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 G. Giuricin; C. Marinoni; L. Ceriani; A. Pisani (2000). "Nearby Optical Galaxies: Selection of the Sample and Identification of Groups". Astrophysical Journal. 543 (1): 178–194. arXiv: astro-ph/0001140 . Bibcode:2000ApJ...543..178G. doi:10.1086/317070. S2CID   9618325.
  3. 1 2 R. B. Tully (1988). Nearby Galaxies Catalog. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN   0-521-35299-1.
  4. H. Arp (1966). "Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies". Astrophysical Journal Supplement. 14: 1–20. Bibcode:1966ApJS...14....1A. doi:10.1086/190147.
  5. VST Looks at the Leo Triplet — and Beyond
  6. 1 2 3 4 "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". Results for various galaxies. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  7. "Messier 65". SEDS Messier Catalog. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  8. "Messier 66". SEDS Messier Catalog. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  9. "NGC 3628". SEDS NGC Catalog. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  10. 1 2 L. Ferrarese, H. C. Ford, J. Huchra, R. C. Kennicutt Jr., J. R. Mould, S. Sakai, W. L. Freedman, P. B. Stetson, B. F. Madore, B. K. Gibson, J. A. Graham, S. M. Hughes, G. D. Illingworth, D. D. Kelson, L. Macri, K. Sebo, N. A. Silbermann (2000). "A Database of Cepheid Distance Moduli and Tip of the Red Giant Branch, Globular Cluster Luminosity Function, Planetary Nebula Luminosity Function, and Surface Brightness Fluctuation Data Useful for Distance Determinations". Astrophysical Journal Supplement. 128 (2): 431–459. arXiv: astro-ph/9910501 . Bibcode:2000ApJS..128..431F. doi:10.1086/313391. S2CID   121612286.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. P. Fouque, E. Gourgoulhon, P. Chamaraux, G. Paturel; Gourgoulhon; Chamaraux; Paturel (1992). "Groups of galaxies within 80 Mpc. II – The catalogue of groups and group members". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement. 93: 211–233. Bibcode:1992A&AS...93..211F.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)