M65, M66 and NGC3628 - (Counterclockwise from bottom right) also known as the Leo Triplet is comprised of three gravitationally bound galaxies located in the constellation of Leo. The structure of each galaxy suggest that there has been at least one near collision over the course of their evolution. The galaxies are located approximately 30 million light years from earth.

Image capture and processing information:

Date/Location: April 16th, 2007 Lake Sonoma, Sonoma County, California
Instrument: SBIG ST-2000XCM through an Orion 6 inch Newtonian reflector
Focal Ratio: f5.0
Guiding: Self-Guiding camera
Conditions: Visually clear
Weather: 43 F, moderate breeze
Exposure: 10 minute single exposure
Processing: Focused and captured with CCDOPS. Image processed using CCDOPS and Adobe Photoshop CS2