M33 is a spiral galaxy, also known as the Triangulum Galaxy, from the constellation in which it can be found. It is located about 3 million light years from Earth and, under very dark, clear skies can be seen with the naked eye. M33, the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies are the largest and most dominant members of a small cluster of about 60 gravitationally bound galaxies known as the Local Group of galaxies.
(Photo courtesy of Zac Dawson)
October 26, 2017
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October 26, 2017 1:45 p.m.
Fact versus fiction on the last frontier
It was after 10 p.m. when local astronomer Mark Paulson saw it — five illuminated disks, streaking across the sky past the maple tree in his yard.