M110
Galaxy in Andromeda
About
A dwarf elliptical galaxy and satellite of the Andromeda Galaxy, about 2.7 million light-years away. Patches of dust and young blue stars near its centre are unusual for this kind of galaxy. Caroline Herschel found it in 1783, and it became the last addition to the Messier list in 1967.
Imaging tips
- Large enough to span a third to half of the frame at 1,430–2,380 mm on APS-C, or 2,180–3,640 mm on full frame.
- Faint at 22.7 mag/arcsec², so use broadband: one imager gathered about 3.7 hours through LRGB in 10-minute subs on a 160 mm f/7.5 refractor.
- It forms a triplet with M31 and M32, so a wide field takes in the group; the group is best placed in late summer and early autumn.
- Best around September and October.
Facts
- Size
- 17′ × 10′
- Magnitude
- 8.5
- Coordinates
- RA 0h 40.4m, Dec +41° 41′
- Framing, APS-C
- 1430–2380 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 2180–3640 mm
- Best months
- Sep, Oct
- Peak altitude
- 82° from 50°N, 83° from 35°N