M33 "Triangulum Galaxy"
| Right Ascension | 01 : 33.9 (h:m) |
|---|---|
| Declination | +30 : 39 (deg:m) |
| Distance | 3000 (kly) |
| Visual Brightness | 5.7 (mag) |
| Apparent Dimension | 73x45 (arc min) |
For the observer, this galaxy can be glanced (averted vision) with the naked eye under exceptionally good conditions; for most people, it is the most distant object visible to the naked eye (there are rare reports that some eagle-eyed stargazers managed to see M81 under exceptional conditions, but this is exceptional with all respects). It is outstanding in good binoculars, but as its considerable total brightness is distributed quite evenly over an area of nearly four times that covered by the full Moon, its surface brightness is extremely low. Therefore, it is difficult to impossible to view this galaxy in telescopes which do not allow low magnification - lowest is best for this object !
I have never been able to see M33 without magnification, even in high-altitude desert skies. But then my vision is not perfect even when corrected.
Below is the constellation Triangulum.
Below is a wide-angle chart of Triangulum and the surrounding region.
AND...
What do we find in M33 (among a host of interesting objects)? A giant star-forming region! It's got its own designation, NGC 604.
And a close-up of the nebula and its stars:
