Andromeda Galaxy

Classification: Galaxy

Constellation: Andromeda

Equipment: SkyWatcher 72ED with an Altair Astro 533C Hypercam, mounted on a Sky-Watcher EQM-35 Pro

Total Exposure: 5 hours

Processing Notes: Stacked and processed using Siril

About This Object

The Andromeda Galaxy is a barred spiral galaxy and is the nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way. It was originally named the Andromeda Nebula and is cataloged as Messier 31, M31, and NGC 224. Andromeda has a D25 isophotal diameter of about 46.56 kiloparsecs (152,000 light-years) and is approximately 765 kpc (2.5 million light-years) from Earth. The galaxy's name stems from the area of Earth's sky in which it appears, the constellation of Andromeda, which itself is named after the princess who was the wife of Perseus in Greek mythology.