The Pinwheel Galaxy (M33) is a member of our local group of galaxies 3 million LY from our Milky Way Galaxy.
It is about 1/2 the size of our galaxy and contains 40 billion stars.  Lying only 750,000 LY from the Andromeda
Galaxy, it is believed to be a gravitational satellite of its neighbor.  Because of it's size and low surface brightness,
M33 is best observed at low power.  It is a stunning object in binoculars under dark skies.



September 9, 2008
WO ZS 105mm f/7 Apo Refractor
Canon Digital Rebel 400D / Modified (Hap Griffin)
210 Minute / 42x300s @ 800ASA
Manually guided on a 14" Meade LX200
Skyhawk Observatory, West Bend, WI
Rick Kazmierski