Visual Astronomy

MESSIER 33
Messier 33
   
RA:
01h 33m 54s
DEC:
+30° 39' 00''
Type:
Spiral galaxy
NGC:
598
Magnitude:
5.70
Surface brightness :
14.20
Apparent dimensions :
69'x42'
Distance:
2 920 000 ly
   
 

The Triangulum Galaxy (Messier 33 or NGC 598) is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Triangulum. The galaxy is also sometimes informally referred to as the "Pinwheel Galaxy" by some amateur astronomy references and in some public outreach websites.

It is the third largest galaxy in the Local Group, a group of galaxies that also contains the Milky Way Galaxy and the Andromeda Galaxy, and it may be a gravitationally bound companion of the Andromeda Galaxy.
The Triangulum Galaxy can be seen with the naked eye under exceptionally good conditions; it is thus the most distant object that can be seen without optical aid.

In 2005, using observations of two water masers on opposite sides of Triangulum via the VLBA, researchers were, for the first time, able to estimate the angular rotation and proper motion of Triangulum. A velocity of 190 ± 60 km/s relative to the Milky Way is computed which gives the velocity that Triangulum is moving towards Andromeda.

The Triangulum galaxy M33 is of type Sc, and even a "late" representative of that type so that Tully classifies it as Scd (in the Nearby Galaxies Catalog). The pronounced arms exhibit numerous reddish HII regions (including NGC 604), as well as blueish clouds of young stars. Baade has also discovered Population II stars, and globular clusters have been found. Although no supernovae have yet been detected in the Triangulum galaxy, several supernova remnants have, and were cartographed by radio astronomers with high acuracy. At least 112 variables have been discovered in M33, including 4 novae and about 25 Cepheids. A strong X-ray source is also situated in this galaxy.

The Triangulum Galaxy was probably discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654, who may have grouped it together with open cluster NGC 752. It was independently discovered by Charles Messier in 1764, who catalogued it as M33 on August 25. M33 was also catalogued independently by William Herschel on September 11, 1784 number H V.17. It was among the first "spiral nebulae" identified as such by Lord Rosse.
Herschel also cataloged The Triangulum Galaxy's brightest and largest H II region (diffuse emission nebula containing ionized hydrogen) as H III.150 separately from the galaxy itself, which eventually obtained NGC number 604. As seen from Earth NGC 604 is located northeast of the galaxy's central core, and is one of the largest H II regions known with a diameter of nearly 1500 light-years and a spectrum similar to the Orion Nebula. Herschel also noted 3 other smaller H II regions (NGC 588, 592 and 595).

At least two techniques have been used to measure distances to M 33. Using the Cepheid variable method, an estimate of 2.77 ± 0.13 Mly (850 ± 40 kpc) was achieved in 2004.

In 2006, a group of astronomers announced the discovery of an eclipsing binary star in the Triangulum Galaxy. By studying the eclipses of the stars, the astronomers were able to measure their sizes. Knowing the sizes and temperatures of the stars they were able to measure the absolute magnitude of the stars. When the visual and absolute magnitudes are known, the distance to the star can be measured. The stars lie at the distance of 3.1 ± 0.2 Mly (940 ± 70 kpc).

Averaged together, all these distance measurements give a combined distance estimate of 2.92 ± 0.13 Mly (895 ± 40 kpc).

   
Older sketches
   
           
  Messier 33  
 
Messier 33
 

 

VEDRAN VRHOVAC©

2006.-2007.