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The Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

by

K.A. Lecky Hepburn/Novapix

Reference

a-gax02-24027

Date

2009-10-23

Andromeda is the nearest major galaxy to our own Milky Way Galaxy. M31 is about 2.3 millions light years far from us in the constellation Andromeda. It is the biggest member in our Local Group. Its diameter is more than 150,000 light years, compared to the Milky Way's 100,000 light years. M31 has two satellite galaxies: M110 (NGC 205) the elliptic galaxy at bottom right respect M31 core and M32 (NGC 221), the bright star-like object at left. The bright blue star at top is the 4.5th magnitude nu Andromedae.