The Andromeda Galaxy (M31), located approximately 2.5 million light-years from Earth, is the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way and one of the most iconic objects in the night sky. This image of Andromeda is the result of an extensive data collection process, utilizing over 100 hours of exposure time across multiple locations. The image showcases not only the galaxy’s core, but also the faint hydrogen-alpha (Ha) clouds and ionized oxygen (OIII) arc that encircle it.

Captured from two distinct locations, the first set of data was gathered from Texas, USA, at a remote observatory with dark, clear skies ideal for deep-sky imaging. The second set of data was captured from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where urban light pollution posed additional challenges. Despite this, the combination of both data sets enabled a comprehensive view of the galaxy and its surrounding nebulosity.