Discover the Andromeda Galaxy: A Guide for October Stargazers

Late October presents an exceptional opportunity for stargazers to witness the Andromeda Galaxy as it becomes increasingly visible in the night sky. This cosmic marvel, designated as M31, is the closest galaxy to the Milky Way, located approximately 2.5 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Andromeda. As the month progresses, Andromeda rises in the east at sunset, climbing high overhead by midnight and transitioning to the northwestern sky by dawn.

The Andromeda Galaxy boasts a remarkable diameter of 260,000 light-years and contains over a trillion stars. At its core lies a supermassive black hole, surrounded by stellar bodies that emit a warm, ancient glow. From a dark sky location, Andromeda can be spotted with the naked eye as a hazy oval blur. Utilizing a telescope or binoculars can enhance the experience, revealing the brighter light of its active core surrounded by a diffuse haze.

Locating the Andromeda Galaxy

To find the Andromeda Galaxy, observers can start by identifying the ‘M’ star formation in the constellation Cassiopeia, which appears prominently in the sky around midnight for viewers in the United States. The leftmost three stars in this formation create a pointer towards the Andromeda Galaxy, with the bright star Shedar at its tip guiding the way.

Astrophotographers have long cherished the Andromeda Galaxy, dedicating extensive time and effort to capturing its faint light and transforming it into stunning images. One notable example is by photographer Ronald Brecher, who devoted a total of 38 hours to imaging Andromeda in August and September 2023. His efforts unveiled a wealth of star formation adorning the spiral arms, intricately intertwined with cosmic dust.

Astrophotography for Everyone

Thanks to advancements in smartphone technology, anyone can now engage in astrophotography and capture impressive images of galaxies like Andromeda. All that is required is a smartphone, a telescope, and an affordable smartphone adapter to align the camera with the telescope’s eyepiece.

Smartphone astronomy advocate Jim Preusse successfully captured a breathtaking view of the Andromeda Galaxy using a Pixel 9 Pro smartphone camera mounted over a 56 mm eyepiece on his Orion XT 10G telescope. Preusse shared his enthusiasm, stating, “The great thing about smartphone astrophotography is that anyone can do it. The results are quick, allowing you to view several targets in one evening. Each time out is an adventure with something new to see.”

Preusse’s image, taken with just a 4-minute exposure in the Pixel 9 Pro’s Astro Mode, showcases Andromeda’s brilliant core and its sweeping dust lanes within the spiral arms. Additionally, the small satellite galaxy M32 appears as a glowing sphere to the upper left of Andromeda’s core, while the elliptical galaxy Messier 110 is visible below its hazy disk.

For those interested in capturing their own night sky adventures, resources such as beginner guides to astrophotography and roundups of recommended cameras and lenses are readily available. With the right equipment and a bit of patience, anyone can explore the wonders of the cosmos, starting with the majestic Andromeda Galaxy this October.