gjdonatiello
Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31)
Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31)
Credit: Giuseppe Donatiello
(J2000) RA: 00h 42m 44.3s Dec: +41° 16′ 9″ (core)
The Andromeda Galaxy, or Messier 31 (M31) and NGC 224, is a spiral galaxy approximately at 780 kiloparsecs (2.5 million light-years). It is the largest menber of the Local Group of galaxies, which also contains the Milky Way, the Triangulum Galaxy, and other smaller galaxies.
This image offers a good overview of the main structures on the disc and the outer stellar halo of Andromeda (M31).
The disc appears quite regular and there is an abundant presence of young stars, gases and dusts. The bulge is dominated by an older population. The external halo presents various irregularities and thickenings that we can consider as vestiges of dwarf galaxies incorporated progressively by the greater galaxy, as foreseen by the growth models.
M31 is thought to have assimilated a hundred small galaxies or globular clusters. This process is still ongoing.
Stack of images collected over the last 5 years, primarily with the array of telephoto lenses made up of two 300mm f/4.5, one 110/250mm (f2.2) and two 200mm. That's about 250 hours of total exposure from an SQM 21.8 mountain sky using DSLRs at 3200/6400 ISO.
Full resolution 13K px image is obtainable only upon reasonable request.
Updated July 27, 2024
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This image is distributed as CC0 but for its use please refer to what is indicated in the info here: www.flickr.com/people/133259498@N05/
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Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31)
Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31)
Credit: Giuseppe Donatiello
(J2000) RA: 00h 42m 44.3s Dec: +41° 16′ 9″ (core)
The Andromeda Galaxy, or Messier 31 (M31) and NGC 224, is a spiral galaxy approximately at 780 kiloparsecs (2.5 million light-years). It is the largest menber of the Local Group of galaxies, which also contains the Milky Way, the Triangulum Galaxy, and other smaller galaxies.
This image offers a good overview of the main structures on the disc and the outer stellar halo of Andromeda (M31).
The disc appears quite regular and there is an abundant presence of young stars, gases and dusts. The bulge is dominated by an older population. The external halo presents various irregularities and thickenings that we can consider as vestiges of dwarf galaxies incorporated progressively by the greater galaxy, as foreseen by the growth models.
M31 is thought to have assimilated a hundred small galaxies or globular clusters. This process is still ongoing.
Stack of images collected over the last 5 years, primarily with the array of telephoto lenses made up of two 300mm f/4.5, one 110/250mm (f2.2) and two 200mm. That's about 250 hours of total exposure from an SQM 21.8 mountain sky using DSLRs at 3200/6400 ISO.
Full resolution 13K px image is obtainable only upon reasonable request.
Updated July 27, 2024
-----------------------
This image is distributed as CC0 but for its use please refer to what is indicated in the info here: www.flickr.com/people/133259498@N05/
-----------------------