I myself thought it was the triple galaxy system referred to as the M66 Triplet of M65, 66 and NGC 3628. Then, I also saw it referred to as M95, 96 and 105.

Confusing. I am guessing it is the first triplet. But I just thought I'd ask what you guys thought.

Leo has two tripplets!

Bart.

As I understand it, "the Leo triplet" refers to the M66 group.

Cheers,
-- Jeff.

I've seen both areas reffered to as Leo triplets, to me M65/66 and ngc3628 is thee Leo triplet.
I'd refer to the M96/96/105 and nearby galaxies as the the M96 group., but it is also another good triplet, so its up to you really.

If my opinion was to be the one to make it "official", I'd be inclined to go for the M95, 96, 105 group, as they are technically easier to spot in a smaller instrument than the other one. The reason being that Charles Messier 'discovered' them in a rather poor refractor at the time - he caught all 3 of the M95 group.

Then again Messier was looking for comet impersonators, ngc3628 is so elongated it doesn't look anything like a comet, so maybe he saw it and was happy he couldn't mistake it for a comet.

Then again Messier was looking for comet impersonators, ngc3628 is so elongated it doesn't look anything like a comet, so maybe he saw it and was happy he couldn't mistake it for a comet.

I'd say if he saw it it would have been M111!