2007-12-06 04:05:59 · 7 answers · asked by DoubleO 7 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The Andromeda galaxy (M31) can easily be seen with the naked eye from a dark location (but you have to know exactly where to look). Even by eye, you can see that it's a little fuzzy; with binoculars, you can see that it is quite large.
The Triangulum galaxy (M33) is also visible, but more difficult.
From the southern hemisphere, the large and small Magellanic clouds are easily visible.
2007-12-06 04:12:22 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Bob 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
For most people, there is only one full-fledged galaxy that can be seen with the naked eye: the Andromeda galaxy (a tiny bit bigger than our own, but a little more than 2 million light-years away).
In the Southern hemisphere, there are a few dwarf galaxies that are in orbit around our own that can be seen: The Large Magellanic Cloud and the Small Magellanic Cloud. They are been torn (and swallowed) by the gravitational pull and tidal effect of our Galaxy. The LMC and the SMC are 'only' almost 200,000 light-years away.
People with keen eyesight and using a very dark site, can see M33 (the Triangulum galaxy), the 'other' full-fledge spiral galaxy in the Local Group.
Everything else in the Local Group is too faint (I do remember reading a claim that someone had seen either Fornax or NGC6822 but I have not seen an independent confirmation).
Everything else in the universe is too far away.
---
Every single star that we can see as a star is part of our Galaxy. Unless something very special is going on (like a supernova explosion) It is impossible to see individual stars, naked eye, from other galaxies.
One well-known exception was supernova 1987A in the Tarantula Nebula of the LMC. It became "almost as bright" as the stars in the Big Dipper, making it visible as an average star.
The story is that Ian Shelton did recognise that the star (although not that bright) did not belong there and immediately alerted other observatories.
SN 1987A was (and still is) 168,000 light-years away.
2007-12-06 04:18:50 · answer #2 · answered by Raymond 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just one from the Northern Hemisphere -- the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). Summer is the best time and you have to know exactly where to look and it must be extremely dark.
2007-12-06 04:12:43 · answer #3 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Andromeda(M31 ) can be seen through naked eye on dark nights. If you move to southern side of equator LMC will be visible,
2007-12-06 09:53:45 · answer #4 · answered by Chandramohan P.R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um I think there might be one somewere by Orine?
2007-12-06 06:13:42 · answer #5 · answered by Yeslek Smada 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I dont believe so but It is said that every star you see is another galaxy
2007-12-06 04:11:46 · answer #6 · answered by ~$~Ace~$~ 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋
ye one i think that looks like a star cause its really far away
2007-12-06 04:36:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋