The Andromeda Galaxy

[mariosi]

The Andromeda galaxy,
known as Messier 31, M31, or NGC 224, is a spiral galaxy approximately 780 kiloparsecs (2.5 million light-years) from Earth, and the nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way. Its name stems from the area of the sky in which it appears, the constellation of Andromeda.

Like the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy has satellite galaxies, consisting of 14 known dwarf galaxies. The best known and most readily observed satellite galaxies are M32and M110. Based on current evidence, it appears that M32 underwent a close encounter with the Andromeda Galaxy in the past. M32 may once have been a larger galaxy that had its stellar disk removed by M31, and underwent a sharp increase of star formationin the core region, which lasted until the relatively recent past.

M110 also appears to be interacting with the Andromeda Galaxy, and astronomers have found in the halo of the latter a stream of metal-rich stars that appear to have been stripped from these satellite galaxies.M110 does contain a dusty lane, which may indicate recent or ongoing star formation.

(Wikipedia)

 

Constellation Andromeda
Right ascension 00h 42m 44.3s
Declination +41° 16′ 9″

 

Characteristics
Type SA(s)b
Size ~220 kly (diameter)
Apparent size (V) 3.167° × 1°

 

Tuesday - Wednesday 21-22/11/17 23:00 local time
Celestron Nextstar 130mm S.L.T. 650/f5
Explore Scientific 20mm F.O.V.68°

 

Thanks for looking

Marios

[Victor Boesen]

Great sketch!!

[Richard Hather]

Gorgeous sketch Marios, almost like looking through the ep myself ?

[mikeDnight]

Superb sketch Marios. 

[mariosi]

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback. 

Marios

[N3ptune]

Very impressive looks like the view directly at the eyepiece.

[mariosi]

Thank you N3p! 

Marios