October is a great time to catch a glimpse of the Andromeda Galaxy, which lights up the autumn sky. As the closest galaxy to us, about 2.5 million light-years away, Andromeda can be found rising in the eastern sky at sunset, reaching its peak overhead at midnight, and moving to the northwest by dawn.
Andromeda spans an impressive 260,000 light-years and contains over a trillion stars, all orbiting a supermassive black hole at its center, glowing with ancient red stars. You can see Andromeda with the naked eye as a hazy oval shape. Using a telescope or binoculars brings its glowing core and the soft haze of light into sharper focus.
To locate Andromeda, first find the ‘M’ shape of the Cassiopeia constellation, which should be high in the sky at midnight. The leftmost three stars act as a guide to Shedar, connecting you to the Andromeda Galaxy.
Astrophotographers love capturing images of Andromeda, often spending many hours to showcase its beauty. For instance, Ronald Brecher dedicated 38 hours to document its intricate spiral arms filled with cosmic dust earlier this year.
Smartphone astrophotography has made it easier for everyone to capture stunning images of galaxies. Jim Preusse, a smartphone astronomy enthusiast, used his Pixel 9 Pro camera with a telescope to photograph Andromeda. He noted that this technology allows anyone to explore the night sky quickly, making every stargazing session an adventure.
Using just a 4-minute exposure in the Pixel 9 Pro’s Astro Mode, Preusse managed to highlight Andromeda’s vibrant core and distinguish its sweeping dust lanes. He also captured the smaller galaxy M32, visible to the upper left of Andromeda’s core, and the elliptical galaxy Messier 110 below it.
Recent data from the International Astronomical Union highlights a growing interest in amateur astrophotography. Surveys show that about 30% of amateur astronomers now use smartphones for imaging. This trend reflects a broader fascination with astrophotography, with social media platforms buzzing with user-generated content about space.
So, if you’re eager to venture into astronomy, now’s the time to grab your phone and telescope. The Andromeda Galaxy awaits, and who knows what other wonders you’ll find in the night sky!
For more insights on photographing the night sky, check out our best cameras and lenses for astrophotography.
