Posted on 09/25/2020 4:16:30 PM PDT by MtnClimber
Explanation: The Great Spiral Galaxy in Andromeda (also known as M31), a mere 2.5 million light-years distant, is the closest large spiral to our own Milky Way. Andromeda is visible to the unaided eye as a small, faint, fuzzy patch, but because its surface brightness is so low, casual skygazers can't appreciate the galaxy's impressive extent in planet Earth's sky. This entertaining composite image compares the angular size of the nearby galaxy to a brighter, more familiar celestial sight. In it, a deep exposure of Andromeda, tracing beautiful blue star clusters in spiral arms far beyond the bright yellow core, is combined with a typical view of a nearly full Moon. Shown at the same angular scale, the Moon covers about 1/2 degree on the sky, while the galaxy is clearly several times that size. The deep Andromeda exposure also includes two bright satellite galaxies, M32 and M110 (below and right).
(Excerpt) Read more at apod.nasa.gov ...
For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then zoom by moving the magnifying glass over an area and then clicking. The side bars will move the zoomed area over the photograph.
Pinging the APOD list.
Not sure I was ever able to spot it so dim it is.
I have seen it out in the country, but it can’t be seen where I live because of nearby city lights.
I have never spotted it. It helps to know what size to look for. I was always looking for something small.
At the middle bottom of the Constellation Andromeda. You can see it on a very clear night, by naked eye or a good 10 x 30 or 50 binoculars.
It looks like a pale white oval object lying almost horizontal to the horizon.
Well worth looking for it, or get a copy of “Sky & Telescope” or “Astronomy” magazines. They both have sky charts on them with the locations re positions within or near a constellation for better finding.
Other than Orion’s Belt, I am an idiot at seeing constellations. My mind just sees stars. The big Dipper made sense when I lived north enough to have it up in the sky.
Looks like the moon is going down the drain.
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