Andromeda Galaxy (M31)
Also known as M31 · M 31 · Andromeda Galaxy · NGC 224
Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is a galaxy in the constellation Andromeda, about 2.54 million light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Galaxy (shape SA(s)b) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Andromeda |
| Position (J2000) | 0h 42m 44s, +41° 16′ |
| Distance | 2.54 million light-years (its light set off about 2.54 million years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 3.44 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Size on the sky | 199.5′ × 70.8′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Filter | No filter (It shines in starlight of every colour, so a nebula filter would only dim it; a dark sky helps more.) |
| Studied in | 13,836 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is highest in the sky at midnight in September. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 69° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 81°. To see it you need the naked eye, even from a town.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Andromeda
Everything in Andromeda · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits