Spiral galaxy

Triangulum Galaxy

M33 — a spiral seen almost face-on

Triangulum Galaxy, photographed through a small telescope
1280 × 1600 px
Triangulum Galaxy, photographed through a small telescope
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Captured
18 October 2026

1 of 2: 18 October · close view

What is it?

A spiral galaxy in the Local Group, the same neighbourhood of galaxies as the Milky Way and Andromeda. We look at much of its disc face-on, rather than seeing a narrow edge.

What can you see?

Start with the diffuse central glow. Follow the uneven, winding light around it: that is the spiral structure. Most of its individual stars are too distant for this small telescope to separate.

The sharp points scattered across the field are largely foreground stars in our own galaxy. They are much closer than the soft light behind them.

Two views of the same night

Both images are from 18 October. The close view concentrates on the galaxy; the full field shows more of the surrounding stars. Exposure and processing details will be added when confirmed.

Behind the photo · optional experiment

Change your view of a spiral

Start almost face-on, then tilt the disc. See how the same spiral can become a narrow streak without changing its stars.

Journey illustration · not a photograph
Change something. See why.

Tilt the spiral

This experiment changes the physics or the viewpoint. Your photograph stays as the reference observation.

Open the full Lab view ↗
Sources & further reading

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