Hubble Snaps Heavyweight Galaxy of The Leo Triplet: Messier 66

Hubble Snaps Heavyweight Galaxy of The Leo Triplet: Messier 66

Hubblecast 34: Hubble has snapped a spectacular view of M66, the largest "player" of the Leo Triplet, and a galaxy with an unusual anatomy: it displays asymmetric spiral arms and an apparently displaced core. The peculiar anatomy is most likely caused by the gravitational pull of the other two members of the trio.

Distance: about 35 million light-years

Credit: European Space Agency (ESA)

Duration: 3 minutes, 41 seconds

Release Date: June 24, 2010

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