Stupid astronomy 101 question

[Realitycheck]

Is every star that we see in the sky part of the Milky Way and all of the other galaxies are seen as distinct entities? Or do Local Group stars stand out as individuals as well?

[Realitycheck]

FYI

 

Under the best conditions with perfect vision, 8,479 stars are visible, mostly within a few hundred light years.

[Norman Albers]

Last I read we see not much outside our galaxy, naked eye. This surprised me when I first learned it. Thus, our desire for telescopes. What sort of seeing are you thinking of?

[Realitycheck]

Naked eye, but that number includes stars that are only visible in the opposing hemisphere, all within a few thousand light years at most.

[Norman Albers]

I apologize, I am not hip to your question.

[Reaper]

Is every star that we see in the sky part of the Milky Way and all of the other galaxies are seen as distinct entities? Or do Local Group stars stand out as individuals as well?

 

Yes, most of the stars that we see, even on a clear night, are in our own galaxy. You can see another galaxy with the naked eye though, a galaxy known as M 31 (i.e. Andromeda). Correct me if I'm wrong, but Andromeda is the only galaxy visible to the naked eye.

[Norman Albers]

Reaper that's what I've heard.

[Janus]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Andromeda is the only galaxy visible to the naked eye.

 

Well, the Magellanic Clouds are considered irregular dwarf galaxies in their own right, so this is not strictly true.