Tracking the Bright Nucleus and Delicate Arms of NGC 7331
Located in northern Pegasus at a distance of 40 million light-years, the bright galaxy NGC 7331 stands as the largest member of the Deer Lick Group, astronomy.com reported. Stretching 11’ long and 4’ wide with a large, bar-less nucleus surrounded by delicate spiral arms, the target reaches its highest point more than 80° above the southwestern horizon around 10 P.M. local daylight time.
Observers can track the 10th-magnitude galaxy sitting 4.4° north of 3rd-magnitude Matar, also designated Eta Pegasi. While the galaxy appears nearly edge-on, larger telescopes reveal exquisite detail within its spiral structure.
Separating the Fleas From the Central Core
The field around NGC 7331 contains several smaller companions that amateur astronomers often nickname the “fleas.” Telescopes with apertures of 11 inches or greater can isolate at least three other members of the Deer Lick Group clustering near the primary galaxy.
Despite their appearance as smaller dwarf galaxies swarming a larger central body, these objects bear no physical association with NGC 7331 whatsoever. Measurements place the surrounding galaxies much farther away in the background, at distances spanning 290 million to 370 million light-years.
Transitioning From Galaxy Views to the Orionid Meteor Peak
As the early morning hours approach on October 21, the focus of skywatchers shifts from distant extragalactic systems to interplanetary debris within the solar system. The Orionid meteor shower peaks the morning of October 21 as Earth turns into the meteoroid stream of dusty debris responsible for the show.
Optimal viewing conditions require waiting until after the Moon sets at 1:11 A.M. local time. The radiant point sits just to the upper left or northeast of Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion, which stands above the southern horizon by 5 A.M.
Viewing rates are predicted to reach 15 to 18 meteors per hour. Observers should cast their gaze 40° to 60° away from Betelgeuse to spot shooting stars with the longest luminous trains, well above the sporadic baseline rate of approximately six meteors per hour.
