Spiral galaxy M31 in Andromede - First color photo - The first color image of...

Spiral galaxy M31 in Andromede - First color photo - The first color image of spiral galaxy M31 in Andromeda - The galaxy of Andromede is located about 2 million years ago - light from Earth. Two satellite galaxies accompany him: M32 (NGC 221) on the left, and M110 (NGC 205) on the bottom right. Like the lactee path, the Andromede galaxy belongs to the local group, making up about thirty galaxies. This photo is the first color photo of M31. It was obtained on 11 August 1958 at the Schmidt telescope of Mount Palomar. M31 (NGC 224) is the finest and nearest large spiral galaxy in the sky, about 2 million light years away. It has several close companions, the most obvious of which are the compact elliptical galaxy M32 (NGC 221) at lower left centre here, and M110 (NGC 205) at lower right. M 31 is a member of the Local Group of about 30 galaxies that includes the Milky Way and M31 as its most massive members as well as the two Magellanic Clouds. This particular picture is of interest because it was one of the first - ever astronomical colour images and certainly the first of M31. The 120 minute exposure was made in 1958 August 11 with the Palomar 48 - inch Schmidt Telescope (now the Oschin Schmidt) by Mt Wilson and Palomar Observatories' William C. Miller. Miller used the then revolutionary Super Ansco reversal film which had a nominal speed of 100ASA. The original came to D.Malin some years ago for re - mastering, and he has now digitally re - mastered the copy he made at that time. The quality of the picture as a large digital file is quite outstanding, and is as good as any more recent image, indicative of the fine optics of a large Schmidt telescope