Astro*Dictionary
by Michael Erlewine

1 article for
"Andromeda Galaxy"

The largest member of the local group of galaxies to which our Milky Way belongs. Andromeda is a supergiant spiral galaxy (Messier Object M31) located along the zodiac at 27°09' Aries longitude and +33°21' latitude. Andromeda and our galaxy (the two largest members of our local group) are in a bound orbit with one another. The center of mass is located about two-thirds of the distance between the two galaxies in a line towards the direction of Andromeda. The Andromeda has been important in astronomers' understanding the structure and evolution of the galaxy.

 

See also:
♦ Barycenter ♦ Milky Way ♦ Zodiac