Can we see individual stars in the Andromeda Galaxy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the ability to see individual stars in the Andromeda Galaxy using telescopes, particularly the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Participants explore the proximity of Andromeda as the closest spiral galaxy and question the visibility of stars due to potential obstructions from the Milky Way.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that it is possible to see individual stars in the Andromeda Galaxy with high-power telescopes, including HST.
  • Others mention that Edwin Hubble's identification of a cepheid variable in Andromeda marked a significant advancement in understanding its distance and visibility.
  • There are claims that while HST can identify some individual stars, the majority of stars visible in unzoomed images are likely foreground stars from the Milky Way.
  • Participants reference a specific high-resolution image from HST that purportedly shows individual stars in Andromeda.
  • Some express skepticism about the clarity of the images, suggesting they could appear computer-generated.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that individual stars in Andromeda can be observed, but there is contention regarding the extent to which these observations can be made and the identification of stars as either Andromeda or Milky Way foreground stars. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the precise details of visibility and identification.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions about the visibility of stars, the definitions of "individual stars," and the potential obstructions caused by the Milky Way. The discussion does not resolve the mathematical or observational specifics of star identification.

Stephanus
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Dear PF Forum,
Just out of curiosity :smile:
Can we (through telescope or HST for example) see stars in Andromeda Galaxy?
Is the Andromeda Galaxy the closes galaxy to us. Can we really be sure that there is no other galaxy across Milky Way because our line of sight is blocked by clusters of stars in Milky Way.

Thanks.
 
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Yes, until Edwin Hubble, nobody were Andromeda was. He correctly identified a cepheid variable on it's otter rim. He could do it in the early 1900, now high power telescopes, it's fairly easy.
 
Do you mean HST can spot individual stars in Andromeda, as we say observe Vega, 26 ly away?
 
Stephanus said:
Do you mean HST can spot individual stars in Andromeda, as we say observe Vega, 26 ly away?
Yes, in fact, you can see some of the brightest in this 1.5 billion pixel image: http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/heic1502a/zoomable/

The big ones are much closer Milky Way stars, but when you zoom in, you can see individual stars in Andromeda itself.

How much detail they can study them in is obviously no where near the ability to look at close stars but it's certainly possible to pick out individual ones.Hubble's record for precision is 0.0003 arc-seconds according to Wikipedia, to put that in context, that's the width of a dime held a distance of more than 3000 miles.
 
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newjerseyrunner said:
Yes, in fact, you can see some of the brightest in this 1.5 billion pixel image: http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/heic1502a/zoomable/

The big ones are much closer Milky Way stars, but when you zoom in, you can see individual stars in Andromeda itself.

How much detail they can study them in is obviously no where near the ability to look at close stars but it's certainly possible to pick out individual ones.Hubble's record for precision is 0.0003 arc-seconds according to Wikipedia, to put that in context, that's the width of a dime held a distance of more than 3000 miles.
Wow!
If I don't know PF Forum better, I'd say this is a computer generated software.
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Ok, my curiosity fullfiled.
 
Stephanus said:
Do you mean HST can spot individual stars in Andromeda, as we say observe Vega, 26 ly away?
newjerseyrunner said:
Yes, in fact, you can see some of the brightest in this 1.5 billion pixel image: http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/heic1502a/zoomable/

The big ones are much closer Milky Way stars, but when you zoom in, you can see individual stars in Andromeda itself.

I am pretty sure it's safe to say that almost ALL the individual stars visible in the UNZOOMED image are foreground stars in our galaxy
 
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davenn said:
I am pretty sure it's safe to say that almost ALL the individual stars visible in the UNZOOMED image are foreground stars in our galaxy
Certainly so.
 

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