Leo Triplet galaxies. The three spiral galaxies seen here are NGC 3628 (upper left), M65 (lower right) and M66 (lower left). NGC 3628 is seen edge-on, so its spiral arms are only visible as a dark dust band obscuring its bright nucleus. M66 is seen nearly face-on, and its spiral arms are distorted. This is thought to be by gravitational interaction with the other galaxies. M65 is seen almost half-way between face and edge-on, its arms looking tightly wound around its nucleus. These three galaxies lie around 35 million light years from Earth.