I was checking out m31 tonight also, in these polluted skies between
baltimore and d.c.
But alas I could not see it via the naked eye, just by starhopping.
In my 8" newtonian it is still an elongated fuzzy, I do not see a central
core.
It seems to be close to the same view as in my 15x70 binocular's, an
elongated fuzzy.
Too much light pollution I guess.
I'm checking out the light pollution map for my area, it looks like I fall
in the bortle scale of 7-less than 100 stars visibe, I'm looking for a
bortle scale of at least 4-with some milkyway structure.Maybe only 15-20
miles away, it would be nice if some smaller town locations
were indicated, for approximate location of the close good viewing spots.

"Michael A. Covington" wrote
in message ...
The position and appearance indicate that what you saw is M31. You've
just
given an excellent description of the way M31 looks to the naked eye and
in
binoculars. In a really clear sky, it jumps out at you.

In your telescope, you usually see only the central core, which is much
smaller. The object you describe -- about 0.5 x 2 degrees -- is just what
the relatively bright part of M31 looks like in binoculars. (The fainter
parts may extend out to more like 1 x 4 degrees.)

And M31 was only 5 degrees from the zenith at the time and place you
describe.