Andromeda Galaxy
- Pierre Moutounet-Cartan
- Feb 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 24
#Messier31, #NGC224, or #PMC16
About this object
The Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31) is a breathtaking spiral galaxy and the closest neighboring galaxy to our Milky Way, making it a prime target for amateur astronomers. Located approximately 2.5 million light-years away, Andromeda is visible to the naked eye under dark skies as a faint, elongated smudge in the constellation Andromeda. Through binoculars or a telescope, its bright core comes into view, revealing a galaxy spanning over 220,000 light-years—more than twice the size of the Milky Way. Andromeda is home to an estimated trillion stars, along with star clusters, nebulae, and even a supermassive black hole at its center. What makes Andromeda even more fascinating is its future: it is on a collision course with the Milky Way. In about 4.5 billion years, the two galaxies will begin to merge, creating a single, massive elliptical galaxy often referred to as "Milkomeda." While this cosmic event won't affect individual stars due to the vast distances between them, it’s a reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our universe. Observing Andromeda today is like glimpsing a future chapter in the story of our galaxy—a truly humbling experience for any stargazer.
Designations
Standardized Catalogues
PMC Observatory Catalogue
Observations
2024-12-26 at around 06:45 pm (+01:00)
2025-02-01 at around 09:30 pm (+00:00)
2025-02-22 at around 07:00 pm (+00:00)
Location in the sky
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is located in the constellation Andromeda, near the border with Cassiopeia, and can be found by star-hopping from the Great Square of Pegasus. Look for it as a faint, elongated smudge by hopping from Mirach to Mu, then to Nu.
Photographs
