Galaxies - Andromeda Galaxy Subgroup
The Great Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is without doubt the most spectacular galaxy in the autumn sky. M31 has several smaller satellite galaxies, the brighter members being M32, M110, NGC 147, NGC 185 and possibly M33. All these galaxies are like our own Milky Way members of the Local Group
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M33 - Triangulum Galaxy Mag 5.7 - surf. br. 14.2 - Size 69' x 42' - Class Sc 2005 Oct 30 (Denmark) - FS-60C with Sky90 reducer - SXV-H9 L:R:G:B = 87:16:16:28 min Result from a long weekend in dark Jutland Old FFC version from 2003 |
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M31 - Andromeda Galaxy Mag 3.4 - surf. br. 13.5 - size 189' x 62' - class Sb 2004 Nov 14 - FS-60C with Sky90 reducer - SXV-H9 Mosaic of two images, each L:R:G:B = 42:20:19:30 min (RGB bin 2x2) (Luminance from 11 Nov) A not fully successful attempt to make a colour mosaic. I had severe problems removing gradients all over the place. |
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M31 - Andromeda Galaxy Mag 3.4 - surf. br. 13.5 - size 189' x 62' - class Sb 2004 Nov 11 - FS-60C with Sky90 reducer - SXV-H9 Mosaic of two images, each L = 42 min First presentable image with the FS-60C. The two satellite galaxies M32 and M110 (NGC 205) are visible below the center and to the upper-right of center, respectively. |
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M31 - Andromeda Galaxy Mag 3.4 - surf. br. 13.5 - size 189' x 62' - class Sb 2004 Oct 09 - FFC 500/3.5 - SXV-H9 - 38 min The central parts of M31 |
M32 in Andromeda
Mag 8,1 - Surf. br. 12,4 - Size 8,5' x 6,5' - Class E2
19 Nov 2001 - C8 at f/6.3 - MX516 - 5 min
This well-known companion to M31 is rarely imaged on its own probably due to its complete lack of features. It is a very dense elliptical dwarf galaxy with maybe the highest known stellar density in the Local Group. In binoculars or a telescope at low magnification it looks like a fuzzy star
NGC 205 (M110)
Mag 8.1 - Surface br. 14.0 - Size 19.5' x 11.5' - class E6
12 Sep 2002 - FFC 3.5/500 - MX516 - 14 min in highres mode
M110 is a controversal late addition to the Messier catalogue and many prefer to refer to it as NGC 205. Although it has the same brightness as M32 it is much more difficult to observe in an urban sky due to low surface brightness
NGC 147 in Cassiopeia
Mag 9,5 - Surf. br. 14.5 - Size 13.5' x 8.2' - class. dE4
15 Oct 2003 - C8 @ f/6.3 - SXV-H9 - 29 min
NGC 147 is a satellite galaxy of M31 and located somewhat closer to us than the Andromeda Galaxy. It is a dwarf elliptical galaxy similar to NGC 205 (M110). It has a very low surface brightness and requires a dark sky to be visible.
NGC 185 in Cassiopeia
Mag 9,2 - Surf. br. 14.3 - Size 12.5' x 10.4' - class. dE0
15 Oct 2003 - C8 @ f/6.3 - SXV-H9 - 20 min
Another M31 satellite located just one degree away from NGC 147. The brighter core makes it easier to spot than NGC 147