M96
About this celestial object
M96 shows in Leo a bright disk with delicate, dust-traced spiral arms.
As a member of the Leo I Group, M96 accompanies neighbors M95 and M105; its low-surface-brightness arms are threaded with dust.
343 individual exposures at roughly 4° altitude add up to a smoother signal and set the core clearly off the background.
Imaged with 250 mm at f/5, preserving context across the Leo field.
Image and observation
Catalogue: M 96
Capture date: 2026-02-09
Total exposure: 12070 s
Imaging and processing: Ulrich Schwarz · Vespera Pro