The M66 galaxy picture of May of the Observatori Astronòmic del Montsec
2016-05-31 00:00:00
Each month the Observatori Astronòmic del Montsec (OAdM) of IEEC publishes an outstanding image from the observations made there. In April, the protagonist of the image of the month is the spiral galaxy M66.
maig
The spiral galaxy M66 is the largest of the Triplet Lion group. Typically, these galaxies are characterized by symmetrical spiral arms surrounding the galactic center. The peculiar asymmetrical shape of M66 is surely an effect produced by its neighbor M65 effect. This beautiful galaxy spans over 100,000 light years side to side, and is located about 35 million light years. The dark traces of interstellar dust are mixed with bright areas dominated by stellar clusters and nebulae.
The image was made with the Hubble Joan Oró, at the Observatori Astronòmic del Montsec, using different broadband filters and a total time of about 45 minutes of exposure.