Nearby Spiral M33

Astronomy Picture of the Day · 1998-07-21 · NASA (public domain)

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Nearby Spiral M33 — APOD for 1998-07-21

M33 is a prominent nearby spiral galaxy. Nicknamed the Triangulum , M33 is one of the larger members of the Local Group of Galaxies . Two massive spiral galaxies dominate the Local Group: M31 and our Milky Way Galaxy . M33 is the only other spiral galaxy known in the Local Group. At 3 million light-years, M33 is the second closest spiral galaxy. M33 is thought by some to be a satellite galaxy to massive M31 . M33 is close enough to appear twice the angular size of the full moon , when viewed with binoculars. Globular clusters in M33's halo appear unusual and might be much younger than globular clusters in our Galaxy's halo .

Astronomy Picture of the Day for 1998-07-21 — image & explanation courtesy of NASA (public domain), mirrored at Tukuk-OS for reading and search convenience.

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