In close proximity bright spiral galaxies M65 and
M66 are highlighted in this attractive cosmic image. The pair is about 35
million light years and measured, each, about 100,000 light-years .
Both display prominent dust lanes that spiral arms
sweep. M66 has a particularly striking contrast of red and blue colors, the red
light shows the regions of hydrogen gas to form stars and star clusters.
M65 and M66 are two of the three galaxies known as
the Leo Triplet , where the gravitational effect of the tide including how
matter warps, evidence of how close they are.
M66 has been home to four brilliant supernovae since
1973 .
