Thread: True size DSOs
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Old 11-01-2019, 08:18 AM
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mental4astro (Alexander)
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: sydney, australia
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Ok, that's a little different

There's a few "measuring sticks" that can be used for comparison. The first is the Full Moon, it's angular size is 1/2°, or 30min of arc (30'). The Andromeda Galaxy is roughly 3° long by 1° wide. So with the Moon as a yard stick, it is 6 full moon's long by 2 full moon's wide.

I copied the following from the website "one minute astronomer". The page also contains some diagrams for the following.

https://oneminuteastronomer.com/860/measuring-sky/

"* Stretch your thumb and little finger as far from each other as you can. The span from tip to tip is about 25 degrees.
**Do the same with your index finger and little finger. The span is 15 degrees.
* Clench your fist at arms length, and hold it with the back of your hand facing you. The width is 10 degrees.
* Hold your three middle fingers together; they span about 5 degrees.
* The width of your little finger at arm’s length is 1 degree."

These are better than using coins as a measure.

I hope this helps some more

Alex.

Last edited by mental4astro; 11-01-2019 at 09:23 AM.
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