Space is something that we’re all interested in. From the idea of different planets and galaxies, there’s so much in the world that we would want to experience. While most of space is seen as far away from us and untouchable, a lot can be seen from down here on Earth.
It might surprise you to know that there is a lot that can be seen by the naked eye. The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds can easily be seen from the Southern hemisphere. Apart from this, most of the other galaxies can be seen during nightfall through almost all of November.
One of these is the Andromeda Galaxy, also referred to as M31, which is visible on moonless nights. This is the only other spiral galaxy apart from the Milky Way that the naked eye can see. Read ahead for more interesting details.
How Can We See Distant Galaxies?
It’s interesting how we can see far off galaxies despite how distant they are. There are two reasons for this. Primarily, while galaxies are distant from us, they are still massive. This means that despite knowing how far they are from our planet, it’s reasonable to assume we can still see some of them.
The Milky Way consists of somewhere between 100 and 400 billion stars. Andromeda is 220,000 light-years across! This means that it is very likely for parts of the galaxy to be visible from Earth.
Another reason why and how we can see distant galaxies down here on Earth is the fact that galaxies are extremely bright. This is because of the very vast amount of stars they contain. These stars light up the galaxies so we can see them.
Galaxies Closest to Earth
You might be wondering what galaxies are closest to our home planet. Here is a list of some of our nearest neighboring galaxies.
- Southern Weathervane
- Whirlpool Galaxy
- Hoag’s Object
- Pandora Set
- Black Eye Galaxy
- Milky Way
These galaxies surround planet Earth and are measured to be closer to us than other galaxies. The farthest galaxy from Earth is Andromeda.
Why Can’t We See Planets?
It’s reasonable to question why we can see galaxies but not planets from Earth. This is because, unlike galaxies which are extremely massive, planets are small. Perhaps even as small as a speck of dust when compared to the galaxies.
Unlike galaxies, the planets are also not as bright. This means, even if you look for them on moonless and clear nights, you are unlikely to find them.
However, planets that are closer to home are visible at different times during the year. This largely depends on where the planets are located in our sky. An example of this is Venus, which can almost always be seen from Earth.
It looks like a bright star and is distinguishable from the millions of other stars in our sky.
What to Look For
It’s fair to assume you’d want to look at these galaxies yourself. If you’d like to take a crack at it, here’s what you need to look for when trying to observe different galaxies.
Andromeda Galaxy
If you find yourself wondering what the Andromeda Galaxy looks like, November is the best time for you to look for it. You first need to locate the Northeast corner of the Great Square of Pegasus.
Connected to the bowl formed by the Great Square, you’ll be able to see a handle. This handle is the Andromeda Galaxy.
Great Orion Nebula
If you’re looking for the Great Orion Nebula, you need to ensure you’re in the northern hemisphere. Make sure to look during cooler temperatures as this kind of weather makes it more apparent.
You will need to look for the Orion’s Belt, which presents as three bright stars in one row. The center dot from the three is the Great Nebula.
Hercules Globular Cluster
This cluster is about 25,000 light years away making it relatively close to us. It is also about 150 light years wide so that makes it easy to see. This cluster can be found in the northern hemisphere during the summer months.
Your best bet is to look for it during a new moon. You will need to look for a trapezoidal keystone inside the constellation. The M13 will be the brightest spot on the western side.
Crab Nebula
A supernova that happened in the year 1054 left behind what is now known as the Crab Nebula. To view it, you will need a telescope but it’s worth it because the sight itself is beautiful.
It is located on the southern horn of Taurus which is a bull-shaped constellation. Your best bet is to look for it with a 200x zoom telescope from the northern hemisphere during midnight times.
It’s fascinating how, with the help of binoculars or a telescope, we are able to witness the art that is another entire galaxy!
Conclusion
We can see a handful of galaxies from our home planet. While most require the use of helping equipment like binoculars and telescopes, a good amount is visible to the naked eye. All you need to do is ensure you’re looking in the right place at the right time.
If you do so, you will be able to experience the beauty that is our universe in the purest form possible: on your home planet with your own eyes. It’s a sight worth seeing, for sure.
