M96

M96 = NGC3368 ( 10h 46.8m +11°49´, 9.2 mag. )
This spiral galaxy in Leo was discovered by Mechain in March 1781 and Messier observed it on March 24 of the same year. M96 is about 26.

M96 is a tight spiral galaxy, much brighter than its neighbour. Both this pair and M65/M66 are considered to be about 30 million light years away. M105 (NGC 3379) is a much dimmer galaxy to the north-north-east of M96.

Yet another galaxy to be seen in the constellation of Leo is M96. It is the brightest member of the M96 group of galaxies, with a visual magnitude of 9.2.

Leo harbors a group of galaxies, including two spirals (M95 and M96) and an elliptical (M105), in its central region. With binoculars, the cores of the spirals, but not their faint arms, can be distinguished.

M65 (spiral galaxy)
M66 (spiral galaxy)
M95 (spiral galaxy)
M96 (spiral galaxy)
M105 (elliptical galaxy)
This is one of the 13 constellations of the Zodiac.

Messier 96 (NGC 3368) is an intermediate spiral galaxy, the brightest one in the M96 Group, which also includes M95, M105 and nine other galaxies. Messier 105 (NGC 3379) is an elliptical galaxy with a confirmed supermassive black hole ...

is the brightest star in the night sky at the infrared N-band (10 Î¼m wavelength).
Notable deep sky objects
Leo contains many bright galaxies, of which the twins (Spiral Galaxy M65, Spiral Galaxy M66) and (Spiral Galaxy M95, Spiral Galaxy M96) ...

ring is instead a relic of a dramatic collision that occurred between two galaxies just over one billion years ago. The two culprits have been identified as NGC 3384, currently located in the centre of the Leo Group, and massive spiral galaxy M96, ...

The second-brightest star (Beta Leo) is Denebola (meaning "tail of the lion"), and the third-brightest star (Gamma 1 Leo) is Algieba (meaning "forehead"). The spiral galaxies M65, M66, M95, M96, and the elliptical galaxy M105 are nearby.

The other two Messier objects, M95 and M96 are two fainter spiral galaxies. For more information and observing hints please follow the links to the Messier database.
There is a large number of meteor showers assiciated with this constellation.

Messier Object 96 - M96
Messier Object 97 - M97
Messier Object 98 - M98
Messier Object 99 - M99
Messier Object 100 - M100
Messier Object 101 - M101
Messier Object 102 - M102
Messier Object 103 - M103
Messier Object 104 - M104 ...