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.
