The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is the nearest major spiral galaxy to the Milky Way and is part of the Local Group of galaxies.

It is expected to interact gravitationally with the Milky Way in the distant future.

Key Pointers

  • Category: Science & Astronomy
  • Catalogue designation: M31
  • Type: Spiral galaxy
  • Part of the Local Group.
  • Closest major galaxy to the Milky Way.
  • Located approximately 2.5 million light-years away.
  • Has satellite galaxies.
  • Milky Way and Andromeda are gravitationally bound members of the Local Group.

Prelims Focus: Andromeda → M31 → Local Group → spiral galaxy.