The Leo Triplet, also known as the M66 Group, is a small group of spiral galaxies in the constellation Leo. The group includes the galaxies Messier 65, Messier 66, and NGC 3628, also known as the Hamburger Galaxy. 

The Leo Triplet is about 35 million light-years away from Earth. Each of the galaxies is tilted at a different angle, making them all appear different from each other from Earth's perspective. For example, NGC 3628 is seen edge-on, with dark dust lanes that obscure the bright core of the galaxy. 

The Leo Triplet are best photographed during our spring, also known as "galaxy season".  I imaged this over 5 nights during December 2023, beginning at ~02:40am, after imaging LBN782 each evening. 

A little about The Leo Triplet.  

The first two members are Messier objects (65 & 66) and were discovered by Charles Messier in 1780. The third one, NGC 3628, was found four years later by William Herschel.

Messier 65 is a spiral galaxy located about 35 million light-years away from Earth, and it is situated in the northern portion of this trio, bottom left in my image. The galaxy has a spiral structure with prominent arms that sweep outward from its core. In its spiral arms are young, hot stars, of vibrant blue color, contrasting with the older, redder stars found in the central regions.  A supermassive black hole is at its center, exerting a powerful gravitational influence on its surroundings. It also has intricate dust lanes that run along its arms which partially obscure some regions.

Messier 66 is a spiral galaxy located approximately 36 million light-years away from Earth and is the southernmost member of this trio (bottom right in my image). This galaxy has an intricate and beautiful spiral structure, with tightly wound arms that extend from a bright center. Similar to M65, it has blue and red stars in its spiral bands.  
Messier 66 has intense star-forming activity, with numerous star clusters and nebulae scattered throughout its spiral arms. The galaxy also holds a bright, elongated core, which is home to a supermassive black hole.

NGC 3628, also known as the Hamburger Galaxy or the Needle Galaxy, is a great target for beginner Astro photographers. Located approximately 35 million light-years away in the constellation Leo, NGC 3628 is one of the members of the famous Leo Triplet, a group of three interacting galaxies.  The object is seen edge-on. The galaxy looks like a long, narrow streak of light, and appears like a cosmic needle or a cosmic hamburger, depending on what you choose to see! NGC 3628 has dark dust lanes that run across its equatorial plane, creating visual interest for astro photographers.

There are at least a dozen galaxies in this image.  The top left quarter has 8 that I counted.  Our journey around the sun is bringing us a better view as we look away from the Perseus and Orion arms of the Milky Way and out towards the constellations surrounding Virgo - home to the supercluster of galaxies.

I do hope you enjoy my image.  Cheers, Monty