Observer's guide
About Andromeda Galaxy
Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is catalogued as a spiral galaxy in Andromeda. Its J2000 position is RA 00:42:44.35, Dec +41:16:08.6, corresponding to 10.6847 degrees RA and 41.2688 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 2,900,000 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 199.53 by 70.79 arcminutes.
Observing tips
This is rated as an easy target at magnitude 3.4. It is associated with autumn observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around September. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 79.3 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.
Its brightness makes it a practical binocular or small-telescope candidate when it is well above the horizon.
What to expect
The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is AGN. SIMBAD records the morphology as SA(s)b. A published radial velocity value is -300 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 13762 bibliographic references.
At roughly 199.5 arcminutes across, it favors a wide-field imaging setup. Use the listed 199.53 by 70.79 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.