Galaxy viewed in naked eye

shounakbhatta

Hello,

If I am not wrong, I think that no galaxy can be viewed from Earth with naked eye, right?

George Jones

The two Magellanic Clouds can be seen easily in the southern hemisphere. In the northern hemisphere, I have see the Andromeda Galaxy, M31, many times.

Drakkith

George is correct. Some people claim to be able to *barely* see Messier 33 from pristine dark sky locations with the naked eye.

Kevin Willis

A month ago here in Florida, my astronomy club and I were on a trip to possibly the least light polluted place in Florida and we could clearly see Andromeda and a few other faint objects (can't remember what the others were). Newbie astronomer here trying to get some hands on experience before I get to the university to continue my educational path in astrophysics.

Borek

Each time I go outside at the night I see the Galaxy in the sky. Not sure what the problem is.

Kevin Willis

The problem is that most of the worlds population is not able to do that. Light pollution and weather are the major reasons people can't see most of the sky. I live in a city where on our best nights we can see only the major constellations. Deep sky viewing even from my 12 inch DOB is unattainable. I'm suprized you don't realize that most of the population lives in cities where light pollution is so bad you can not see Andromeda with the naked eye.

Borek

I live in the city as well. I am surprised you don't see the Galaxy.

mfb

I see a part of a galaxy even in closed rooms! But I think that was not the type of "view a galaxy" shounakbhatta meant.

turbo

Where I live, it is very easy to see Andromeda on a clear night. Also, if you allow your eyes to get dark-adapted and use averted vision, M33 is naked-eye, but tougher.

Drakkith

I cannot see M31 from the last 3 places I have lived at. A combination of light pollution and nearby lights that keep me from getting dark adapted.

shounakbhatta

Actually the place where I live, when I try to gaze at the night sky (it should be during New Moon). there are so much light from the nearby building, light posts that I hardly could point out a galaxy. I could the small and the large bear. Also, my problem is that I cannot exactly point out which one is the galaxy.

For me pollution and lights are a factor which prevents me to watch something clearly.

Borek

Whenever I see any star I know I see the Galaxy, I fail to understand how you fail to see one.

shounakbhatta

Another question. As Canis Major Dwarf & Sagittarius Dwarf sph are the nearest galaxies to Milky way, can anybody view it in naked eye? Or is it due to low luminosity one cannot see it?

shounakbhatta

Yes I also do see a lot of stars, but how can that mean it can be in a galaxy and rather which galaxy?

Borek

You have never stated which galaxy you want to see.

shounakbhatta

Andromeda
Canis Major Dwarf
& Sagittarius Dwarf sph

phinds

We LIVE in a galaxy ... the Milky Way. Every star you can see at night is part of the Milky Way galaxy.