M31, the Andromeda Galaxy, is one of the most spectacular objects in the night sky. Here's how to see it with the naked eye and binoculars.
M31, the Andromeda Galaxy , is one of the most spectacular objects in the night sky. Show any interest in the night sky, and it's almost certain that someone who loves you will buy you a cheap telescope to look at distant galaxies.
However, point a telescope at the Andromeda Galaxy — also called Messier 31 or M31 — and you'll see ... not much. The closest major galaxy to the Milky Way looks its best not in a telescope, but — like many objects — in binoculars, and it can even be glimpsed with the naked eye. Observe the Andromeda galaxy and you're looking at the light from 2.5 million light-years ago — light that left when the first, distant ancestors of humans were beginning to use tools in Africa. It's among the farthest objects you can see with the naked eye.and October are the best months to see Andromeda. From mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, the galaxy rises high enough in the east-northeastern sky after nightfall to make it an easy target. By late evening, it climbs high in the sky, crossing near overhead, where skies are darkest and air turbulence is at its minimum. So you can locate it early in the evening, then observe it at its best as it climbs higher.The best time of the month to look for Andromeda is the week between the last quarter moon and the new moon. This month, the last quarter moon was on Sept. 14 and the new moon is on Sept. 21. The time is now!The key to finding M31 isn't to look for the sprawling constellation of Andromeda, but two others that it-s between — Cassiopeia and Pegasus. Here's how to find it: Look for Cassiopeia high in the northeast. It will be a W-shape. Imagine the ‘V’ in the W-shape with the star Shedar at its base. Draw a line through Shedar — it points toward the Andromeda Galaxy. Find the Great Square of Pegasus, a vast shape of four stars in the eastern sky. From its top left star, Alperatz, go two bright stars left and look slightly above for the Andromeda galaxy.Can't see it? Your sky is not dark enough — so use binoculars. When you've found a milky patch of stars, you’ve got it. Observe it for a while and you'll notice a brighter core and extended oval shape — particularly if you use the averted vision technique, which means using your peripheral vision to best appreciate brightness . Simply put, look to the side of Andromeda and you’ll see more that if you look straight at it. Light pollution is the greatest obstacle to seeing this incredible galaxy. Andromeda is a faint, elongated glow, and its visibility is hugely affected by city lights and urban glow — especially in recent years as LED lighting has become widespread. The cost of all that cheap, always-on lighting is that you now need to travel to aSaturn at its brightest
Shedar Draconid Andromeda Galaxy Viewing Tips How To See Andromeda Galaxy Best Time To See Andromeda Naked Eye Andromeda Andromeda Galaxy Binoculars Stargazing Andromeda Galaxy September Andromeda
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