Galaxies
Andromeda Galaxy
The nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way
About Andromeda Galaxy
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is a spiral galaxy about 2.5 million light-years away. It is the largest galaxy in the Local Group and is visible to the naked eye.
Scientific Facts
Andromeda has a diameter of 220,000 light-years. It contains about 1 trillion stars. It is approaching the Milky Way at 110 km/s.
Interesting Facts
Andromeda and the Milky Way will collide in about 4.5 billion years. It has been observed since ancient times as a fuzzy patch in the sky.
Fun Facts
Andromeda contains at least 450 globular clusters. It has two prominent satellite galaxies, M32 and M110.
Discovery
First recorded by Persian astronomer Al-Sufi in 964 AD.