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 8th December, 2015.
10x 2 minute exposures at ISO1600
Equipment details
Orion Europa 200
NEQ6 Pro
Nikon d7100
Processing details
This image was processed in Registax & Lightroom.
Quick facts
- What is The Andromeda Galaxy?
- 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.
- Where is it in the sky?
- In the constellation Andromeda.
- What are its catalogue names?
- M31
- When was this photo taken?
- 8 December 2015
- What equipment was used?
- Orion Europa 200, NEQ6 Pro, Nikon d7100
- Where was it taken from?
- Lisburn, Northern Ireland.