Record dimensions
- Morphology
- spiral
- Viewing geometry
- inclined external view
- Environment
- Local Group
- Scale cue
- large galaxy
- Activity note
- not emphasized here
Field Atlas example · spiral
Andromeda Galaxy (M31)
The nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way and a useful case for separating intrinsic structure from the angle at which we see it.
Representation boundary
Long-exposure and mosaic images reveal more structure than an unaided-eye view.
This record avoids inferring hidden physical properties solely from the visual class.
Source-backed facts
What this release is willing to state.
These are intentionally compact. The linked institutional source remains the authority for fuller context.
- sourced NASA lists M31 at about 2.5 million light-years away.
- sourced NASA classifies M31 as a spiral galaxy.
- sourced It can be visible without optical aid from a dark site.
GX-SRC-005
Messier 31 (The Andromeda Galaxy)NASA Science / Hubble
checked 2026-09-15