Andromeda: Bigger than we though?
- orin stepanek
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Harry, the Andromeda galaxy is about 2x10^19 km away. At least, that's what my physics text book says. And it cost me 150 bucks, so it better be right! Yaarrr!
The question is: is that the distance from our location in the Milky Way to the nearest part of Andromeda? Or is that the center of our galaxy to the center of our neighbor? I mean, it's not as though a galaxy is just a "point."
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
The question is: is that the distance from our location in the Milky Way to the nearest part of Andromeda? Or is that the center of our galaxy to the center of our neighbor? I mean, it's not as though a galaxy is just a "point."
Here is a quote from the link:
"Also known as M31, Andromeda is located only about 2.5 million light-years from Earth, making it our nearest galactic neighbor."
Now I don't know weather that is to the edge or the center. But if it is 1MLY diameter, then it could be .5MLY closer than previously thought.
This would place M31 a between cool 2MLY and 2.55MLY away from Earth.
"Also known as M31, Andromeda is located only about 2.5 million light-years from Earth, making it our nearest galactic neighbor."
Now I don't know weather that is to the edge or the center. But if it is 1MLY diameter, then it could be .5MLY closer than previously thought.
This would place M31 a between cool 2MLY and 2.55MLY away from Earth.
Last edited by BMAONE23 on Thu Jan 11, 2007 5:50 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- orin stepanek
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- orin stepanek
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Hello All
I took out my measuring tape and found that it was 2.1 MYrs.
Other than that
Andromeda Galaxy (M31): The Heat Is On in Andromeda's Center
http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2006/m31/
While on this subject >>>>>>>>>>
The Double Nucleus of M31
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap961011.html
M31: The Andromeda Galaxy
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap961009.html
M31: The Andromeda Galaxy
Credit: The Electronic Universe Project
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap950724.html
Southwest Andromeda
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap010917.html
It seems that the distance has been about 2 Myrs for the last 20 years.
Some links have it at 2.5 Myrs
I had a book about 20 yrs ago it had it at 2.1MYrs.
I took out my measuring tape and found that it was 2.1 MYrs.
Other than that
Andromeda Galaxy (M31): The Heat Is On in Andromeda's Center
http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2006/m31/
Give or take a few feet.Distance Estimate About 2 million light years
Release Date June 05, 2006
While on this subject >>>>>>>>>>
The Double Nucleus of M31
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap961011.html
The other theory is that Black holes are formed in the spiral arms and group together to form a larger black hole and by the time it reaches the centre it can have some influence and possible show up as a secondary nuclei. Just a thought.Subsequent ground-based observations have led to speculation that indeed two nuclei exist, are moving with respect to each other, that one nucleus is slowly tidally disrupting the other, and that one nucleus may be the remains of smaller galaxy "eaten" by M31
M31: The Andromeda Galaxy
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap961009.html
M31: The Andromeda Galaxy
Credit: The Electronic Universe Project
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap950724.html
Southwest Andromeda
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap010917.html
It seems that the distance has been about 2 Myrs for the last 20 years.
Some links have it at 2.5 Myrs
I had a book about 20 yrs ago it had it at 2.1MYrs.
Harry : Smile and live another day.