These galaxies are known as the Leo Triplet. They lie approximately 35 million light-years from Earth. Photo by Trevor Jones.
Trevor Jones said he created a one-hour, 45-minute of a region of the sky within the constellation Leo the Lion, in order to create this wonderful image of the Leo Triplet. He wrote:
The Leo Triplet of galaxies is a wonderful collection of galaxies within the same field of view. Every year around this time, I point my camera and telescope towards these diverse galaxies to improve upon my image from years past. This photo was captured from my backyard in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.
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