| Messier/type: | M31 / spiral galaxy |
| mag/dia/dist: | 3.4 / 3.2 x 1 degree / 2,300,000 ly |
| constellation: | Andromeda |
| date/time/place: | Nov 19, 01 / 22:00 / bangkok |
| trans'y/seeing/l-poll: | fair / good / medium |
| telescope: | newtonian 4.5" f8.8 |
| eyepieces/power: | 25mm / 40x |
| sky atlas page: | 4 |
Start hopping from star 43 (beta andromedae) to 37 & 35. M31 locates about 1.5 degree from star 35. It can be seen in finder scope or binoculars (even naked eyes on rural sky). I'd found M31 by binoculars before I brought star atlas, by using star hopping method as recommend in STARWARE. M31 appeared as elongated, bright nucleus, couldn't observe extended spiral arm over eyepiece FOV (25mm, 1.25 degree, 40x).
Refer to text: The farthest deep-sky object and only one galaxy out side our own Milky way that can be seen with naked eyes. The largest of local group, with 300 billion stars. diameter 150,000 ly, 25% large than Milky Way. Its satellite galaxies include M32 & M110. Home