APOD: M33: Triangulum Galaxy (2012 Dec 20)

[APOD Robot]

M33: Triangulum Galaxy

Explanation: The small, northern constellation Triangulum harbors this magnificent face-on spiral galaxy, M33. Its popular names include the Pinwheel Galaxy or just the Triangulum Galaxy. M33 is over 50,000 light-years in diameter, third largest in the Local Group of galaxies after the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), and our own Milky Way. About 3 million light-years from the Milky Way, M33 is itself thought to be a satellite of the Andromeda Galaxy and astronomers in these two galaxies would likely have spectacular views of each other's grand spiral star systems. As for the view from planet Earth, this sharp composite image, a 25 panel mosaic, nicely shows off M33's blue star clusters and pinkish star forming regions that trace the galaxy's loosely wound spiral arms. In fact, the cavernous NGC 604 is the brightest star forming region, seen here at about the 1 o'clock position from the galaxy center. Like M31, M33's population of well-measured variable stars have helped make this nearby spiral a cosmic yardstick for establishing the distance scale of the Universe.

<< Previous APOD

This Day in APOD

Next APOD >>

[/b]

[Ann]

That's a delightful galaxy picture, wonderfully resolved into differently-colored nebulae and stars!

Ann

[Boomer12k]

Like a big saw blade.

We are here because of the star formation process, and also the death of stars. We are not just made of "star stuff", we are made of the Energy of the Universe. We are Universarians.

My fellow Universarians, I greet you. Let us come together in Love and Peace.

:---[===] *

[emc]

It must take a lot of patience to be an astronomer. Measuring is a "lengthy" process!

BTW - I enjoyed the clever Mayan reference to tomorrow’s APOD.

[starsurfer]

Incredibly stunning image, the detail in the various nebulae is staggering! The other interesting thing about this galaxy is its abundant population of Wolf Rayet stars! I wonder what the view of any WR nebulae would be from the inside of this galaxy?

[orin stepanek]

BTW - I enjoyed the clever Mayan reference to tomorrow’s APOD.

tak saamal; meaning see you later! Ta ta! http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=n ... tak+saamal Probably in reference to the end of world scenario Ya suppose it's in reference to the calendar end!

[emc]

BTW - I enjoyed the clever Mayan reference to tomorrow’s APOD.

tak saamal; meaning see you later! Ta ta! http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=n ... tak+saamal Probably in reference to the end of world scenario Ya suppose it's in reference to the calendar end!

I think it means "until tomorrow"... which I thought to be a funny way of referencing the end of the 13th baktun... which also ends the Mayan calendar... which, yes, has been feared by some to mean the end of the world. But if you're Mayan, it also marks the beginning of the 14th baktun... which needs a calendar to calm the fears of folks that fear such things.

[LocalColor]

Wonderful APOD today.

Amateur attempt at M33 (by my smarter half.)

[BDanielMayfield]

Wonderful APOD today.

Amateur attempt at M33 (by my smarter half.)

And a very successful attempt it was. What equipment did she or he use?

Bruce

[saturno2]

Spiral Galaxy M33
Triangulum Galaxy
Diameter 50,000 light year
Distance from Galaxy Milky Way to M33, 3 million light years
This Galaxy is in the Local Group and it is an example for the study
of the others galaxies.

[LocalColor]

Wonderful APOD today.

Amateur attempt at M33 (by my smarter half.)

And a very successful attempt it was. What equipment did she or he use?

Bruce

Canon 7D - 300 mm lens.

[donax42]

Either this beautiful picture M33-Subaru-Gendler, or the NGC604 at http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap121211.html is turned and mirrored. I detected it because I tried to locate and compare NGC604 with the zoom-in on apod121211.
Not that it matters in this context, but it could be easier to locate the NGC on the M33-picture if one knew that it was mirrored.

Best wishes from over here - I am thankful that this website has continued for now more than 18 years with more and more high quality images.

[donax42]

Sorry I made an error:
I tried to locate and compare NGC604 with the zoom-in on apod121211 --> zoom-in on apod121220

[starsurfer]

This image of M33 is as it would look in the sky. Maybe the HST image of NGC 604 is mirrored but images being rotated away from north up orientation is common.