Galaxies
The Andromeda Galaxy
The Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31), the largest galaxy in the Local Group, 2.5 million light-years away – photographed by Pete Lawrence.
Target details
The Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31) is a spiral galaxy about 2.5 million light-years away. At around 220,000 light-years across it's the largest galaxy in the Local Group, which also includes the Milky Way, the Triangulum Galaxy and about 44 smaller galaxies. At magnitude 3.4 it's one of the brightest Messier objects, visible to the naked eye on moonless nights even from areas with moderate light pollution. Andromeda and the Milky Way are expected to collide in about 4.5 billion years, eventually merging into one giant galaxy.
Capture details
Data captured 22nd December, 2016.
33x 2 minute exposures at ISO400.
Equipment details
Orion Europa 200
NEQ6 Pro
Nikon d7100
Skywatcher ST-80
QHY5L-II
Processing details
This image was processed in Pixinsight & Lightroom.