Date 2011	Location Mayhill, NM	Software ACP, MaxIm DL, TheSky6	Mount Software Bisque Paramount ME	Guide Atik 16IC, Astrodon MMOAG
Optic OGS/RCOS 10" RC	Camera Atik 11000C	Filter OSC RGB	Exposure 1200s x 49	Process Astroart 5, PixInsight, Photoshop CS5

Billions and Billions.com/Triangulum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Triangulum Galaxy M33 was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764 and is a member of our Local Group of galaxies. This Sc-type spiral is an average sized spiral, though small as compared with the Andromeda galaxy M31 and to our own Milky Way galaxy.  M33 is approaching our Solar System at 182 km/s.  The red knot at 8 o'clock is one of the largest H II regions known beyond our Milky Way's own nebulae.  With a diameter of nearly 1,500 light-years, it has a spectrum similar to the Orion Nebula- M42.  M33 was among the first 'Spiral Nebulae' identified by William Parsons, the Third Earl of Rosse.  It was also among the first 'nebulae' identified as a galaxy in which Cepheid variable stars were found.  M33's diameter may be more than 60,000 ly.  Its current distance is about 3 million ly from Earth, and approximately 750,000 light-years from M31.  The pronounced arms exhibit numerous, reddish HII regions as well as blueish clouds of young stars.  Click for a larger version or return to the Gallery