M33 is the third major member of the local group, the collection of nearby galaxies that are gravitationally bound together.  This small section of the much larger Virgo Supercluster includes M33 here, the Andromeda Galaxy M31, and out own Milky Way along with dozens of smaller dwarf galaxies.  This spiral galaxy lies some 2.73 million light years away from earth, and with extremely good viewing conditions, at the darkest skies, this object is the furthest visible object to the naked eye.

M33 was probably discovered by the Italian astronomer Giovanni Battista Hodierna some time prior to 1654, when he noted a cloud-like nebulosity "near the Triangle hinc inde", probably referring to M33.  The galaxy was independently discovered by Charles Messier in 1764, on the night of August 25-26, where it was published in his catalogue as "M33."  While the galaxy is probably some 60% the mass of our own Milky Way, it is the site of some of the most vigorous star formation in the local group.  Located to the upper-right of the core, is the massive HII region known as NGC 604, which is among the largest HII regions between the three major galaxies.  It is over 1500 light-years across and some 6000 time more luminous than the Orion Nebula.

I captured this data during new moon, and I was excited to utilize the dark skies to capture a broad-band target.  Unfortunately the weather decided to be fickle.  Although these was almost no moisture and absolutely no clouds, the wind was a continuous annoyance.  It lead to some guiding difficulties, both large and small, and dissuaded me from camping out a second night to acquire more data.  But I'll come back to this target, and get a better look at that wonderful detail in it's spiral arms.  I also used for the first time Generalized Hyperbolic Stretch when processing this image.  It's an incredible tool, being forced to step away from EZ Soft Stretch and learn these more complex tools is an interesting experience.  I have to give my thanks to Lukomatico and Adam Block for their great tutorials.