In this exercise, you will explore the appearance of a nearby galaxy, M31, the Andromeda Galaxy, under conditions that simulate the use of binoculars or a telescope to enhance your unaided eye view....

In this exercise, you will explore the appearance of a nearby galaxy, M31, the Andromeda Galaxy, under conditions that simulate the use of binoculars or a telescope to enhance your unaided eye view. You can also evaluate the effects of greater light-gathering power and improved resolution that comes from the use of these optical aids. Click Home on the toolbar to return to your local view and stop the flow of time. In Local View unclick Local Horizon. Open the Find pane and start typing “Andromeda Galaxy” in the Query box. Double click on the name when it appears below the box. The sky will center on the galaxy, which will also be labeled. Check that the field of view is 100°. This is the approximate view that one has of this galaxy with the unaided eye. a. Noting that you may have to look at your screen carefully to find it, sketch this galaxy along with a background of several bright neighboring stars, adding notes about its appearance. b. Now use the Zoom facility on the toolbar to adjust the field of view to about 10° to match that of a pair of powerful binoculars. Again, sketch and describe the galaxy’s appearance. c. Finally, adjust the field of view to about 2°, to match that of a small telescope. Here, the galaxy will extend across the full field. Sketch and describe this galaxy again, noting particularly any details now apparent at this higher magnification. Locate and identify two galaxies M32 and M110 in this image. d. Is the resolution of this telescope image better, the same, or worse than that seen through binoculars or with the unaided eye?