Messier 66 (M66)

The brightest member of the Leo Triplet, its arms pulled askew by tidal forces.

Core Principles & Analysis

• A prominent dust lane and displaced arms betray gravitational tugs from its companions.
• Four supernovae have been recorded in it, including one in 2016.
• Its hydrogen gas is siphoned into a tidal tail shared with NGC 3628.

Specifications & Metrics

• GALAXY TYPE: Barred spiral (SBb)
• DISTANCE: ~36 million light-years