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M31, a spiral galaxy about 150,000 light years across is our closest galactic neighbor at 2.5 million light
years distance and located in the constellation Andromeda. Under
dark sky, this galaxy is visible to the naked eye and appears as about the
size of a quarter held out at arms length. In total the galaxy spans 5
degrees of sky or 10 full moon widths. Its size, brightness and
distance makes this object the most
distant object visible to the naked eye and the galaxy is visible from
even light polluted urban sky with a pair of binoculars. Together,
Andromeda and our Milky Way along with a few more lesser galaxies make up the "Local Group".
Two additional Messier objects are captured in this
image. Up and right of Andromeda's core is M110 and down from the
core, appearing like a bright, fuzzy star is M32. Both are dwarf
elliptical satellite galaxies of Andromeda similar to our own galaxy's Large
and Small Magellanic Clouds. Smaller light blue areas in the spiral
arms of the galaxy are areas of active star formation. These areas get
their color from massive, young and very hot blue giant stars.
Andromeda is moving towards our own galaxy at about 3
km/sec. Eventually, the two galaxies will collide and may combine to
form one massive galaxy.
Back to Messier Gallery
Date: 10/7/2005
Location:
Okie-Tex Star Party,
Kenton, OK
Telescope: Orion 80ED @ f/4.8, ISO 800
Camera: Canon 20D
Exposure Count: 42 frames @ 3 minutes, total
exposure 2.1 hours
Guiding: Unguided
Post Processing: Images Plus, Photoshop
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