Triangulum Galaxy is one of the closest galaxies to our earth. It is catalogued as M33 because it was first discovered by Charles Messier on August 25, 1764. It is trapped gravitationally with the Andromeda Galaxy.
This galaxy is approaching the Milky Way at a rate of 100,000 kilometers per hour. It is formally described as a spiral galaxy with a weak central bar. Its loosely bound arms are emerging from the galactic core.
Quick Facts: –
- The Triangulum Galaxy is actively making stars and the star birth regions are scattered around its spiral arms.
- This galaxy is the third-largest member of the Local Group which includes the Milky Way galaxy, the Andromeda galaxy along with around 50 other smaller galaxies.
- This galaxy is sometimes informally referred to as the Pinwheel galaxy along with other nicknames.
- It is one of the most distant deep sky objects that can be seen without the aid of binoculars or a telescope.
- Before Charles Messier, this galaxy is believed to have been discovered by the Italian astronomer Giovanni Battista Hodierna before 1654.
- The Triangulum Galaxy is located in the constellation Triangulum. The distance between this galaxy and earth is 3 million light years.
- This galaxy has a core which is a cloud of dust and gas. This cloud is known as the HII region.
- This galaxy is linked to the Andromeda Galaxy by several streams of neutral hydrogen and stars.
