M66(N3627) Leo galaxy Difficulty level: 2/5
Date of observation: 2002/02/16 03:42
Observing site: Kuju
Transparency/seeing/sky darkness: 3/2/4
Instruments: 50cm Dobsonian and RA10
Magnification: 220x
Width of field: 0.27 degree
At high magnification with the 50cm many details of the object's structures are visible. The elongated core with a sharp nucleus is conspicuous. A bar structure extending from both sides of the core is clearly visible. A short arm is also visible attached to the end of each bar. The southeastern arm extends from the end of the bar showing a spiral curve, at the end of which there is a star cloud. The northwestern arm is not directly attached to the bar and forms an arch in the opposite direction from the spiral.

With a careful look another star cloud is visible northeast of the core appearing as a small spot of light. From the northwestern end and southern part of the bar a large, faint arm extends. Part of the arm contains a triangular extension and the arm appears bent there. It extends further while becoming more diffuse. Not many galaxies show this much detail. Even with the 32cm Dobsonian the bar structures and an arm extending to the south are visible if enough time is spent on this object.

Sketches by the 32cm are here.