The Andromeda Galaxy or M31, at 2.5 million light years from Earth, is our nearest galactic neighbor. Consisting of 1 trillion stars, Andromeda is scheduled to merge with the Milky Way in about 4.5 billion years and the result will be a giant elliptical galaxy. It is approaching the Milky Way at approximately 100 to 140 km/s. Make your reservations early. Andromeda is accompanied by 14 dwarf galaxies, including M32, M110, and possibly M33 (The Triangulum Galaxy).
This picture is a mosaic of 6 panels, each consisting of slightly more than 4 hours integration time, 25 hours in total.
M31 – The Andromeda Galaxy
Telescope: 16″ f3.75 Dream Scope
Camera: FLI ML16803
Mount: ASA DDM85
Exposure: 25 hours, 6 panels of 4.2 hours – 6x (12x300s Ha + 18x300s L + 3x7x300s RGB)
Date: September 2018 – August 2019
Location: Southern Alps, France
