The Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

© 2024-2025 by Andrew Hoorelbek All Rights Reserved.

What is the Andromeda Galaxy?

The Andromeda Galaxy is a well-known galaxy for amateurs and professionals alike. One reason is because it is the largest visible galaxy in the Local Group (the Local Group is a cluster of galaxies that includes our own). Secondly, the size and brightness of the Andromeda Galaxy makes it the most recognizable galaxy we see. A third reason is because of its beautiful, picturesque spiral-arm structure. Unlike other galaxies, eg. the Whirlpool Galaxy, we can view the Andromeda Galaxy from a nearly edge-on view. Because of this unique angle we can study both the core and the spiral arms of the Andromeda Galaxy at the same time.

That’s pretty spectacular!

M110 and M32

© 2024-2025 by Andrew Hoorelbek All Rights Reserved

The Andromeda Galaxy boasts two satellite galaxies, M110 and M32. M110 is the galaxy on the bottom left in the image above, while M32 is the one just above the Andromeda Galaxy. Satellite galaxies are galaxies that orbit larger galaxies. We have two satellite galaxies that orbit the Milky Way, which are only visible when in the Southern Hemisphere. These galaxies are called the Large Magellanic Cloud and the Small Magellanic Cloud.

A Testament to His Glory

In Genesis 1:16 it says, “He made the stars also”. Just like that, in one little verse in the large chapter of creation, it says that He created the stars as if it were nothing (because it was). We have already beheld a beautiful galaxy, the Andromeda Galaxy, and yet this is only scratching the surface of the deep depths of the heavens! It is amazing and breath-taking to think that our Creator God also created something like the Andromeda Galaxy! What is even more amazing is His immense love for us that He sent His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus, to save His people from eternal judgment from Himself.

Technical Information

This image of the Andromeda Galaxy, (technical name M31, which means: Messier’s 31st entry), was finished on November 30, 2024, in Bortle 3/4 skies. The telescope used was an AT60ED, which is a 60mm F/6 doublet refractor. The time spent to capture the image was 81 x 60” exposures @ 200 ISO, which consisted of a total of two nights worth of imaging.