What significant structural detail did Lord Rosse resolve in some spiral nebulae using his 72-inch telescope?
Answer
Spiral arms
Observing with his massive 72-inch telescope, William Parsons, the 3rd Earl of Rosse, was able to clearly see the spiral arms in several of these 'spiral nebulae,' including the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51).
Related Questions
What is the Latin root word from which the term *nebula* originates?Which 17th-century astronomer sketched the Orion Nebula, recognizing it as a distinct patch of light?What was Charles Messier's primary astronomical goal during the mid-18th century?Approximately how many objects were listed in the famous Messier Catalog?How did Charles Messier primarily regard the fuzzy objects he recorded for his catalog?How did William Herschel's approach to studying nebulae differ from Messier's?What term did William Herschel use to describe nebulae that appeared round and soft?What significant structural detail did Lord Rosse resolve in some spiral nebulae using his 72-inch telescope?What astronomical tool allowed Edwin Hubble to calculate the immense distance to spiral nebulae like Andromeda?What formal renaming occurred after Hubble proved spiral nebulae were external systems?