You may read frequently that I've used averted vision to see an object. This is a technique to see fainter objects. The trick is that the most sensitive area of your eye is not the point that's exactly behind your pupil, but it's a bit off-axis on your retina. This means, that if you look next to an object, you will be able to see fainter details, than looking at it directly. Your eye will always try to look at the object directly, but with a little practice you'll be able to use the full potential of your eyes.

   This 'sweet spot' is at a different place on the retina for every observer, for example I have to look a bit up and right as seen on this sketch, to use my most sensitive area of my retina:

To get the most out of the galaxy, I have to look at the point marked with the green cross