In the Spring constellation Leo can be easily found a group of three galaxies, M65, M66 and NGC3628, known as the Leo Trio. All three are Sb galaxies, but each one shows some different details. The three are interacting, and are linked mutually by gravitational attraction. F. Zwicky, in 1956, discovered a thin light filament which emerge from the eastern part of NGC3628, and is directed to the other couple of galaxies. The three objects can be seen togheter in the same low-power field, and the vision is absolutely spectacular.

Camera : Starlight Xpress SXV-H9 with Astronomik LRGB Type II filters


Telescope : Takahashi FS-102 at F/6 with focal reducer on a GM2000-FS2


Guiding : ST4 on a Vixen 80/910mm.


Exposure : L 8x300sec. - RGB 4x300sec. each - All unbinned


Processing : MaxIm (align, combine, stretching) - Astroart (color combine) - Photoshop (final enhancing)


Location : S. Barthelemy (Val d'Aosta) - 1900 mt. height


Date : February 15, 2004

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