Messier 31

       Andromeda Galaxy

 Spiral Galaxy

 In constellation Andromeda

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Messier 31 and its companions Messier 32 & 110. The

  Andromeda Galaxy is our nearest Galaxy at 2.5

 Million  Light Years Away. It is estimated to weigh

400 billion solar masses and measures 120,000 light

years across which is twice the size of our own

 Milkyway. M31 is heading towards us at 186 miles

per  second and will collide with our own Milkyway

in an estimated 2.5 billion years.

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RA 00^h 42^m 44.30^s  : DEC +41° 16′ 09.0″

Messier 31 has a mag (brightness) of 3.4

and its size is 190' x 60'

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Imaging Scope : Takahashi Epsilon 160

Focal Length = 530mm

Imaging Camera : Canon Rebel XTi [400D]

Guide Scope : William Optics Megrez 80FD

EQ6 Pro GEM Mount : Manually Guided using GSTAR-EX

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30 x 150 second exposures [75 minutes] at ISO 1600.

Baldrine, Isle of Man, British Isles.

Imaged in dark skies on 16/10/2009