M33 - The Triangulum Galaxy
Credits: Keith Turnecliff, Long Itchington
Messier 33 (M33), also known as the Triangulum Galaxy, is a famous spiral galaxy located in the small northern constellation Triangulum.
The Triangulum Galaxy is the third largest galaxy in the Local Group, after the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way.
It is also the second nearest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way and the smallest spiral galaxy in the Local Group.
M33 is one of the most distant permanent deep sky objects visible to the naked eye.
The galaxy lies at a distance between 2.38 and 3.07 million light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 5.72. Its designation in the New General Catalogue is NGC 598.
Facts about M33 by Keith Turnecliff
Messier 33 appears face-on when viewed from Earth and has a low surface brightness.
It is strongly affected by light pollution and can be a challenge for observers – with or without binoculars or telescopes – in less than perfect conditions.
Credits: Image courtesy of Starry Night Pro Plus 8, researched and implemented by Keith Turnecliff.