M33

Triangulum Galaxy

A spiral city seen face-on

TypeGalaxy ConstellationTriangulum SeasonAutumn PaletteNatural color Integration timeNot recorded Captured2020

A wide, clean look at M33 with blue star-forming arms and soft pink hydrogen regions threading the disk.

What am I looking at?: The Triangulum Galaxy is a face-on spiral galaxy in the Local Group, smaller than Andromeda but rich in star-forming regions.
How far away is it?: About 2.7 million light-years away.
Where is it in the sky?: In Triangulum, near Andromeda in the autumn sky.
Why does it matter?: A Local Group galaxy with prominent H II regions visible in long-exposure images.
When is the best time to photograph it?: Autumn when Triangulum and Andromeda are well placed.

Target Planner

When to image this target

Galaxy in Triangulum; best planned for September through November from New Jersey.

Best season September through November

Autumn is a strong window for Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and late Cygnus fields.

Good from NJ Late summer through autumn evenings

Assumes a New Jersey backyard horizon and evening imaging.

Object type Galaxy

Prioritize transparency, darker skies, and long broadband integration.

Constellation Triangulum

M33 is listed here in Triangulum.

Moon tolerance Best near new moon.

Current frame: Natural color / Broadband RGB.

Live altitude, moon, and filter guidance

Planning from Sewell, NJ

Check your location Enter ZIP in planner

Use the full planner to enter a ZIP code, choose a date, and compare the target from your sky.

Planning values are approximate and update in your browser.

Planning site Sewell, NJ 39.7700, -75.1400

Current altitude ...

Based on the current time.

Green marks usable dark-sky altitude.

Next transit ...

Next upper transit.

Rise / set ...

Approximate horizon crossing.

Moon now ...

Moon phase and altitude.

My gear vs this target

5h 50m Total integration

Optolong L-Pro 2 Channels

Channel	Frames	Time
Optolong L-Pro 2	70 x 300s	5h 50m

Equipment used: From my current rig
Mount: iOptron CEM60
Telescope: Explore Scientific FCD100 127mm Carbon Fiber Triplet APO
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
Filters: Chroma 36mm Ha, OIII, SII, and LRGB (ZWO EFW 7×36mm)
Focuser / rotator: MoonLite NiteCrawler
Reducer: Starizona Apex ED 0.65×
Guiding: ZWO off-axis guider + ASI290MM Mini
Control / power: PrimaLuceLab Eagle 4S, Powerwerx PSU, Bioenno field battery, and MEGAbox