View of Pegasus and the Andromeda Galaxy
September 27, 2015
Shown above is the asterism of the Great Square of Pegasus (at center) and the Andromeda Galaxy (at lower left center). Also shown is the constellation of Andromeda (lower left). Click on image for an annotated view. If you’ve seen the movie “Clash of the Titans,” Pegasus is Perseus' (the great winged warrior) winged horse. While riding his flying charger Perseus rescues his love, Princess Andromeda, from the Kraken.
Viewers in the Northern Hemisphere can now easily observe the Great Square in the eastern sky about two hours after sunset. The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is the most distant object that humans can see with the unaided eye -- it's approximately 2.5 million light years away. Look for its faint glow away from city lights. It's quite easy to see with binoculars. Note that the very dim, greenish cast in the vicinity of the Great Square is airglow. Photo taken from my observatories in Yellow Springs, Ohio, on July 25, 2015.
Photo details: Canon 6D DSLR camera; 24mm lens @ f4; 6 minute exposure; tracking mount used.