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M31 is the finest and nearest large spiral galaxy in the sky, about 2 million light years away. It has several close companions, the most obvious of which are the compact elliptical galaxy M31 (NGC 221) at lower centre here, and M110 (NGC 205) at upper right. M 31 is a member of the Local Group of about 30 galaxies that includes the Milky Way and M31 as its most massive members as well as the two Magellanic Clouds. This particular picture is of interest because it was one of the first-ever astronomical colour images and certainly the first of M31. The 120 minute exposure was made in 1958 August 11 with the Palomar 48-inch Schmidt Telescope (now the Oschin Schmidt) by Mt. Wilson and Palomar Observatories' William C. Miller. Miller used the then revolutionary Super Ansco reversal film which had a nominal speed of 100ASA.
Image and text copyright © David Malin/California Institute of Technology. All rights reserved. Photograph by Bill Miller. |
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