Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Leo (Leo)  ·  Contains:  NGC 2964  ·  NGC 2968  ·  NGC 2970
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An interacting triplet in Leo, Wim van Berlo
An interacting triplet in Leo
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An interacting triplet in Leo

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An interacting triplet in Leo, Wim van Berlo
An interacting triplet in Leo
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An interacting triplet in Leo

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Description

ngc 2964, 2968 and 2970 form a small galaxy group in Leo. The two smaller of these galaxies are seemingly joined by a tidal stream. It is unclear whether this stream is the result of an interaction betwen ngc 2968 and ngc 2970 or if ngc2968 in the past has merged with a fourth galaxy. The dust band that crosses the galaxy might confirm this latter possibility, because its velocity differs from that of the galaxy itself, and it may therefore be the remnant of a galaxy merger.

The galaxy group is located approximately 60 million light years from the Milky Way in the upper part of the constellation Leo.
Also in this image are various truly faint fuzzies. The most distant galaxy (towards the upper left corner) is approximately 8 billion light years from us.

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An interacting triplet in Leo, Wim van Berlo