M33

A possible satellite of M31, the Triangulum Galaxy is quite small, with a mass 1/7 that of the Milky Way. M33 is a difficult object to detect because of its low surface brightness. In a truly dark and transparent sky, one may be able to get a glimpse of this galaxy, making it one of the most distant objects visible to the naked eye. Binoculars show M33 has an oval glow while a telescope and careful observation will begin to reveal subtle details. M33 has a very small nucleus relative to the size of its spiral arms.