<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Are all the stars we see with the naked eye, stars from our Milky Way galaxy? I am sure I read that this is so but cannot remember where I read it. It certainly seems logical but I would like to know if we can see any other galaxies up there. <br /> Posted by jdot</DIV></p><p>Yes, this is correct, although I believe a few nearby galaxies that may appear as stars can be seen with the naked eye. I'm sure the Andromeda galaxy can be seen, but not sure about any others in the local group. I'm sure that under perfect conditions, other galaxies can be seen, but they would appear more cloud-like.</p><p>On very rare occasions, supernovae from outside the galaxy can also be seen with the naked eye if the gamma-ray burst is directed our way. You would have to be quite lucky to actually witness one of these. About 3 months ago, GRB 080319B was briefly visible and it was 7.5 billion light years distance from us. I don't believe there was anyone who actually saw, but it was bright enough had you been looking in that direction under the right conditions, you would have. Here's a .gif of it as seen by the SWIFT telescope. </p><p>(you have to click on it for it to work)<br /><br /> <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/3/14/4346e83c-69eb-4902-be58-b427afa9ea45.Medium.gif" alt="" /><br /> </p><p> </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div><br /><div><span style="color:#0000ff" class="Apple-style-span">"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</span></div> </div>