Andromeda

Andromeda (M31 or Messier 31, NGC 224) is a spiral galaxy about two and a half million light-years away. It is within the Local Group and is the nearest galaxy to the Milky Way that is similar: the Local Group contains one more somewhat similar spiral galaxy that is substantially smaller, and numerous smaller dwarf satellite galaxies. Andromeda is somewhat larger than the Milky Way, with on the order of a trillion stars. Andromeda was observed before the current concept of a galaxy was established, at the time, known as the Great Andromeda Nebula. Characteristics:

• Andromeda - constellation.
• 00h42m44.3s - right ascension.
• +41deg42m9s - declination.
• 2.50 million ly - distance.
• SA(s)b - galaxy type.
• 3deg10m - apparent dimension (angular diameter).

Some of the satellite galaxies of Andromeda are known as Andromeda I (or And I), Andromeda II, etc.