M65, M66, AND NGC 3628 - THE LEO TRIPLET

(click on image for larger size/higher resolution):

Image acquisition and processing details:

Telescope: Takahashi Epsilon 180, f/2.8.
Mount: AstroPhysics AP1200.
Camera: SBIG ST-10XME cooled to -25C and -30C, internal guiding.  All images binned 1x1.
Filters, Exposure Times: AstroDon Lum 74 min (37x120s), Red 300 min (60x300s), Green 170 min (34x300s), Blue 255 min (51x300s).  Additional data was obtained but discarded.
Dates: 12/31/08 and 1/1/09
Moon Phase: 19% to 27%
Location: Xanadu Observatory, Backyard in Tucson, AZ
Software: CCDCommander, MaximDL, FocusMax, TheSky, CCDStack, Adobe Photoshop CS4
Notes: Notice the faint tidal tail below NGC3628.