Spiral Galaxy · Leo

M65 NGC 3623

Magnitude
9.3
Season
Spring
Difficulty
Moderate
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Imaging reference
NGC 3623 (M65) Spiral Galaxy

Observer's guide

About NGC 3623

NGC 3623 (M65) is catalogued as a spiral galaxy in Leo. Its J2000 position is RA 11:18:55.92, Dec +13:05:32.5, corresponding to 169.733 degrees RA and 13.0923 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 35,000,000 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 15.97 by 4.55 arcminutes.

Observing tips

StarWatchr rates this as a moderate target at magnitude 9.3. It is associated with spring observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around March. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 51.1 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.

Because it is faint, use a larger aperture where possible, avoid bright Moon conditions, and use averted vision.

What to expect

The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is GiP. SIMBAD records the morphology as SA_B_x. A published radial velocity value is 805 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 460 bibliographic references.

At roughly 16 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 15.97 by 4.55 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.

Sourced catalogue data

Scientific record

Measurements for M65 are kept separate from practical observing guidance.

Coordinates (J2000/ICRS)
RA 169.732952° · Dec 13.092306°
SIMBAD classification
GiP
Morphology
SA_B_x
Angular extent
15.97′ × 4.55′
Position angle
173°
Surface brightness
22.58 mag/arcsec²
Radial velocity
805 km/s
Redshift
0.00268881
Linked bibliography
460 references
Best midnight placement
March
Observable latitude range
-76.9° to 90°

Source: SIMBAD astronomical database (CDS, Strasbourg) (ODbL; checked 2026-08-09). Catalogue values may change when new measurements are published.

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