 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Home | History | Science | Observations | LG Members
Observations of the Local Group of Galaxies
ANDROMEDA III
In a letter to the Astrophysical Journal dated Janurary 1st 1972, Sidney Van den Bergh advised of the discovery of several faint galaxies that appeared to be associated with the galaxy M31. In the letter Van den Bergh advised "Casual inspection of the Palomar Sky Survey did not reveal any object similar to those expected for distant dwarf spheroidal galaxies. It was therefor decided to rephotograph M31 and its surroundings on IIIa-j emusion, which makes it possible to record much fainter objects than can be detected on the plates that used for the Palomar Sky Survey."After inspecting the new plates Van den Bregh discovered several possible galaxies. "Three faint smudges with a very low central condensation of light were found in the area surveyed during the present investigation. The appearence of these images is very similar to that of the Sculptor and Fornax systems".
These 3 objects were designated Andromeda's I II III. A 4th object was noted on the plates but Van den Bergh believed that this object was a small star cloud associated with M31 itself or possibly a background galaxy.
A detailed analysis of the stellar content of Andromeda III show that the galaxy is metal poor. The absolute magnitude of it's brightest stars appear to be about -3.5, making their visual magnitudestart at 20.8. Andromeda III is an exceptionally faint galaxy with an absolute magnitude of -10.2.
Andrew Murrell observing from Australia using a 20" ƒ/5.
I have made many attempts to observe this galaxy. All have met with failure. The galaxy appears to be too faint and low to observe from this far south. Does anyone have any observing notes that they would like to share with the readers?
