M31 • NGC 224 • Andromeda Galaxy

M31, the Andromeda Galaxy, is the nearest major spiral galaxy to the Milky Way and one of the most impressive deep‑sky objects visible from Earth. Its bright core, sweeping spiral arms, and extensive dust lanes make it a spectacular target for both visual observers and astrophotographers. M31 contains hundreds of billions of stars and is accompanied by several satellite galaxies, including M32 and M110. The galaxy is on a slow collision course with the Milky Way, expected to merge in several billion years. Its size, detail, and proximity make M31 a cornerstone object for studying galactic structure and evolution.
The mosaic is constructed from three individual tiles.