A relatively close galaxy at only 2.3 million light years away. This is part of the 'local' group that includes our own Milky Way and the giant Andromeda Galaxy, M31. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764 and he made it the 33rd object in his famous catalog. M33 is only about half the size of the Milky Way and its mass is much less. I find this a difficult object to observe through the telescope as its light is spread out over an area larger than a full moon. Some claim to be able to see it without optical aid from very dark skys. This galaxy can be found in the constellation Triangulum and is high in the sky on fall nights.

It makes for a very interesting photographic object, with the pinwheel shape and HII, star forming regions, showing up as bright red areas.

Photo Details:
Taken Sept. 18, 2009 from 3 - 4 am West of Columbia, MO
Sky conditions were good, a new moon and temps. at 54 deg F.
Telescope: William Optics FLT 110 Lite with a W/O Reducer/Flattener type II system @ f5.6
Mount: Celestron CGE. Guided with PHD guide and a Meade DSI Pro
Camera: Canon Rebel XT modified
Filter IDAS LPS
13 exposures of 360 seconds at ISO 800. 10 darks 15 flats
Processed with: Deep Sky Stacker, PixInsight LE, PhotoShop CS3, Noise Ninja