Space/Science » in reply to Nobody's eyes are good enough.

Different galaxies

Raoul — 4/13/2009 8:29:43 AM (archived)

What I find strange is that while we can't see Andromeda as a spiral galaxy either with naked eye or through binoculars or telescope's eyepieces, we can see the Whirlpool galaxy (M51) as a spiral galaxy through a telescope. Perhaps because of the brightness of the young stars on its spiral arms.

M51 was known as a "spiral isle-universe" (drawings by Lord Rosse) before M31 which needed the first long exposed picture.
1845 Lors Rosse M51 Drawing

1899 Isaac Roberts M31 first picture

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (17 posts)

• If your eyes were good enough... - TB - 4/12/2009 11:13:19 PM
  • re: If your eyes were good enough... - I'm thinking maybe in terms of the dark side of the moon. - Marcia - 4/14/2009 7:33:30 PM
    • There is NO dark side of the Moon. - David F Mayer - 4/14/2009 10:19:49 PM
      • "Really, as a matter of fact, it's all dark..." - podrock - 4/14/2009 10:50:17 PM
        • re: "Really, as a matter of fact, it's all dark..." - Marcia - 4/14/2009 11:01:59 PM
          • That basalt could be so bright ! (n/t) - podrock - 4/15/2009 3:19:50 AM
          • re: "Really, as a matter of fact, it's all dark..." - Marcia - 4/14/2009 11:07:29 PM
            • Earthshine - Nick Hoffman - 4/15/2009 1:05:40 AM
              • Earthshine Image - Nick Hoffman - 4/15/2009 1:09:41 AM
                • re: Earthshine Image - S - 4/15/2009 9:58:53 PM
                • re: Earthshine Image - Marcia - 4/15/2009 1:49:36 AM
                  • re: Earthshine Image - Raoul - 4/15/2009 9:12:36 PM
    • re: If your eyes were good enough... - "of" should be "from"(!) - Marcia - 4/14/2009 7:36:07 PM
  • Nobody's eyes are good enough. - David F Mayer - 4/13/2009 2:10:29 AM
    • Different galaxies - Raoul - 4/13/2009 8:29:43 AM
      • Angle of projection - ER - 4/13/2009 12:22:34 PM
  • Starry Night - ER - 4/13/2009 12:26:32 AM