PIX4608687: Spiral galaxy M31 in Andromede - M31, the Great galaxy in Andromeda - The galaxy of Andromede is located about 2 million years ago - light from Earth. Two satellite galaxies accompany it: M32 (NGC 221) in the center left, and M110 (NGC 205) below. Like the lactee path, the Andromede galaxy belongs to the local group, making up about thirty galaxies. M31, the Great galaxy in Andromeda, is a gigantic collection of more than 300 billion stars and is located about 2 million light years from Earth. Companion dwarf elliptical galaxies M32 and M110 are also visible. M31 and its companions are part of our local group of galaxies, which includes the Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds, and M33. The Andromeda Galaxy is headed towards our Milky Way Galaxy and is expected to collide with it and possibly merge into a gigantic elliptical galaxy in about 3 billion years / Bridgeman Images