Event Date: October 7th
Time: 8:00 PM
Brief
I talked about the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) earlier in the year, when it was visible as a morning object. As the closest bright galaxy to us, we mainly see the core through most telescopes, and to see more than that would require a large enough field of view. Of course, skies need to be as dark as shown below to see more than the core with the eye alone, with no light pollution. The galaxy is not too difficult to find if you know which stars to use to "hop" to it from the head of Andromeda. The first image shows the position of the galaxy in relation of the stick figure of its namesake constellation. Although no stars are labeled there, they are in the second image, which can be used it find the galaxy. In that one, zoomed in somewhat, I eliminated the stick figure, to see the separation of the stars more clearly with no lines in the way.
Time: 8:00 PM
Brief
I talked about the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) earlier in the year, when it was visible as a morning object. As the closest bright galaxy to us, we mainly see the core through most telescopes, and to see more than that would require a large enough field of view. Of course, skies need to be as dark as shown below to see more than the core with the eye alone, with no light pollution. The galaxy is not too difficult to find if you know which stars to use to "hop" to it from the head of Andromeda. The first image shows the position of the galaxy in relation of the stick figure of its namesake constellation. Although no stars are labeled there, they are in the second image, which can be used it find the galaxy. In that one, zoomed in somewhat, I eliminated the stick figure, to see the separation of the stars more clearly with no lines in the way.
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| click on images to enlarge: courtesy of Starry Night Pro Plus, version 6.4.3, by Simulation Curriculum Corp. |
Detailed
As shown, Alpheratz is the head star of Andromeda, and we can imagine a line connecting the stars seen to its left when rising: Pi and Mu Andormedae are bright enough to see in somewhat light-polluted skies, although not easy. Nu Andromedae is a little dimmer, while the galaxy's apparent magnitude (4.5) is only a little dimmer than the stars. Once again, if the sky is dark enough, it is possible to see the more of the 2.1º angular-sized galaxy; over a degree of it, and more if even darker. As shown in image two, it is enhanced somewhat, and we are seeing it brighter than we will in most skies. I mainly did this to show how much of the galaxy we see compared to when we try in light pollution. Even with a telescope of 3 or 4", seeing the core is easy enough in all but perhaps the most Moon-polluted of skies. The Moon does pass near the galaxy when it passes through Pisces and Aries, and will be in full or gibbous phases for the next few months.
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