M31 and M33

These two great galaxies were both very well placed for observation during our stay at the Canary Islands, and we observed both of them several times.
The impression through the 12.5-inch was quite similar to what we achieve with 18 inches of aperture under dark conditions from home.

The great Andromeda galaxy was glorious. Along the side opposite to M32 two conspicuous dust bands run. Superimposed on the large, bright central area is the core - clearly non-stellar, looking like a tailless comet. We found two of its globular clusters, G76 and G244. G76 is the brightest one and we chose G244 because it was not too difficult to locate using my "memorisation technique".
The globulars themselves appeared like faint stars, and were not really interesting as visual targets. The process of locating them, however, had a valuable spin-off. Particularly, G76 is located near the end of the galaxy, a zone which until now has not been subject to much attention by me. During the search, however, I noticed the spiral arm making its turn around the end of the galactic ellipse. Looking closer considerable detail could be seen there. Many condensations and star clouds could be seen, not only the large, bright emission region, NGC205.
All these fine details would have been overlooked unless we decided to find G76.
Of course, we also observed the satellite galaxies, M32 and NGC205 (in addition to the distant ones, 147 and 185).

M33 looked like a real spiral galaxy through the eyepiece. Its size made the 13mm Nagler optimal for studying it (115x). The observable detail approached what can be seen in photos. The spiral arms were decorated with bright emission regions. The rather well known, NGC604 is near the end of an arm containing several smaller condensations, IC143, IC132 and NGC595. At the opposite side of the galaxy NGC588, NGC592 and A128 makes a triangle. An eastern "3rd" spiral arm is marked by A100 and A101, both quite bright. One of the great advantages with the superb observing conditions down there is that it is no problem discriminating between small nebulous patches and foreground stars. M33 was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. With sufficient aperture this is one of the best DSO's in the sky.

Inge S

Both great galaxies were definitely the highlights of the trip and revealed themselves gradually over multiple observing sessions. The view of all three galaxies, M31/M32/M110 in the same two-degrees-wide field of view of Eckart's Newtonian was excellent, with two dust bands in M31 and a glow beyond them clearly seen. In Portaball we could see at medium and high power how the dust lane turns towards and into the bright central area. High power view of the bright, stellar core (Inge and I seem to contradict here) made me think of black holes.

M33 was easily seen with direct vision without optical aid. At low and medium power it looked with its spiral arms like a kitchen machine knife, the arms were clear and unambigous. But the galaxy was much bigger that the spread of its amrs.

What impressed me most in both galaxies was the delicate patchwork of light surrounding and including their bright features. I could see the true extent of both galaxies for the first time. You could tell exactly where the tenuous light of the galaxy ended and the black space punctured with stars began. It was in total agreement with the photographic dimensions of both galaxies. I spent many unforgettable minutes with these two super-targets, especially M33, which was also the last object I looked at from La Palma.

Dmitri