Elements of Nearby Spiral M33
Explanation:
Spiral galaxy M33 is a mid-sized member of our
Local Group of Galaxies.
M33 is also called the
Triangulum Galaxy for the
constellation in which it resides.
About four times smaller (in radius) than our
Milky Way Galaxy
and the
Andromeda Galaxy (M31),
it is much larger than the many of the local
dwarf spheroidal galaxies.
M33's proximity to
M31 causes it to be
thought by some to be a satellite galaxy
of this more massive galaxy.
M33's proximity to our
Milky Way Galaxy
causes it to appear more than twice the angular size of the
Full Moon, and be
visible with a good pair of binoculars.
The
above high-resolution image highlights light emitted by
hydrogen in red and
oxygen in blue.
It was taken to help separate stars from
emission nebulae,
and therefore help
study how galaxies form stars.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
