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M31 (Andromeda Galaxy)

M31 is also known as the "Great Nebula in Andromeda." It is a large spiral galaxy, about the same size as our own Milky Way Galaxy, located about 2.5 million lightyears from Earth. M31 and the Milky Way are on a collision course, approaching one another at a speed of about 80 miles per second. The collision will get started in earnest in about 4 billion years. Also shown in this image are M32 and M110, two small companion galaxies of M31. This image was taken using a remotely-operated telescope at the Nerpio, Spain, observatory administered by iTelescope.net.

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Uploaded on December 24, 2012
Taken on December 14, 2012