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| M-33, Triangulum Galaxy |
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Our Big sister galaxy is Andromeda, and and just 15 deg SE of it, faintly visible with binoculars, is the 3rd largest galaxy of our Local Group. Known as M33 or the Triangulum galaxy, it is just west of the 3 stars that make up the constellation of Triangulum. It's less than half as big as either Andromeda or our Milky Way and is much less thick or dense too. Because it's relatively thin and has a face on orientation toward us, it is somewhat difficult to observe. This picture mostly shows the brighter core area. It actually extends way beyond the edges here. Since it is relatively close, thin, and face on, M33 has been very interesting to and much studied by astronomers. They can more clearly see the processes that go on inside it. For example, in the pink and reddish knots where stars are being formed. You also can see many star groups and clusters that trace out and make up the two major spiral arms If you click on the photo above, it will bring up a full resolution image (9mb). In it you can actually see some of the brighter individual stars in that galaxy, in those clusters, groups, and star forming knots. |
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12.5"
CDK telescope, Canon Ra camera at prime focus |