Triangulum Galaxy Facts

The Triangulum Galaxy, also known as M33, is one of the closest spiral galaxies to the Milky Way. It lies 3 million light-years away, in the constellation Triangulum. The closest spiral is the Andromeda Galaxy, at a distance of 2.5 million light-years. All three are members of the Local Group, a collection of about 50 galaxies in our neighbourhood of space.

Triangulum Galaxy Profile

Designation:	M33 or NGC 598
Type:	Spiral
Diameter:	60,000 ly
Distance:	3 Mly
Mass:	50 billion M☉
Number of Stars:	40 billion
Constellation:	Triangulum

Facts about the Triangulum Galaxy

• The Triangulum Galaxy is formally described as a spiral galaxy with a weak (or possibly no) central bar and its loosely wound arms emanate from the galactic core.
• The core of the Triangulum Galaxy is a nebula – a cloud of gas and dust – called an HII region. Areas such as this are prime regions for star formation.
• The Triangulum Galaxy is actively making stars. Its starbirth regions scattered throughout its spiral arms. Its starbirth rate is several times more than the Andromeda Galaxy.
• Andromeda and the Triangulum Galaxy are linked by streams of hydrogen gas and embedded stars. The two galaxies may have had a close interaction in the past and it looks as if they will do so again in about 2.5 billion years.
• Astronomers think that a future merger between Andromeda and the Milky Way will also affect the Triangulum Galaxy, perhaps tearing it apart or cannibalising it into a larger elliptical galaxy.
• Some observers claim that under very dark skies, this galaxy can be seen with the naked eye. However, it is more easily spotted with binoculars or a telescope.