The Whirlpool (M51)
The Galaxy with a Perfect Spiral Shape
The Andromeda Galaxy is the closest large galaxy to the Milky Way — about 2.5 million light-years away.
It’s also a spiral galaxy, and even bigger than the Milky Way!
Scientists believe that in about 4 billion years, the Milky Way and Andromeda will collide and merge into one giant galaxy.
Fun Fact: You can see Andromeda with your eyes on a very dark, clear night!
🏛️ Origin of the Name
The Andromeda Galaxy is named after the Andromeda constellation, where it appears in the sky.
The galaxy lies within that same star pattern, so astronomers named it after her.
Why the Name:
It’s in the Andromeda constellation, and named to honor the myth of Princess Andromeda.The Triangulum Galaxy is the third-largest galaxy in our local group (after the Milky Way and Andromeda).
The Andromeda Galaxy is the closest large galaxy to the Milky Way — about 2.5 million light-years away.
It’s also a spiral galaxy, and even bigger than the Milky Way!
Scientists believe that in about 4 billion years, the Milky Way and Andromeda will collide and merge into one giant galaxy.
Fun Fact: You can see Andromeda with your eyes on a very dark, clear night!
🏛️ Origin of the Name
The Andromeda Galaxy is named after the Andromeda constellation, where it appears in the sky.
The galaxy lies within that same star pattern, so astronomers named it after her.
Why the Name:
It’s in the Andromeda constellation, and named to honor the myth of Princess Andromeda.The Triangulum Galaxy is the third-largest galaxy in our local group (after the Milky Way and Andromeda).