The Leo Triplet: M65, M66, and NGC 3628 - 12.6 hours of LRGB - First Light for the FRA400’s New Camera!

by Cosgrove's Cosmos (Patrick Cosgrove)

Objects in field: M 65, M 66, NGC 3593, NGC 3623, NGC 3627, NGC 3628, IC 2661, IC 2666, IC 2684, IC 2694, IC 2704, IC 2708, IC 2745, IC 2762, IC 2782, 73 Leo, 73 n Leo, Leo Triplet, The star n Leo

Equipment: Askar FRA400, ZWO ASI2600MM Pro

Integration: 12h 39m

This is a wide-field LRGB image of the Leo Triplet region, capturing M65, M66, NGC 3628, and nearby NGC 3593. The main goal was not simply to frame the three familiar galaxies, but to go deep enough with the FRA400/ASI2600MM-Pro combination to bring out the fainter surrounding structure, especially the tidal tail extending from NGC 3628. This was also first light for the new ASI2600MM-Pro on my…