NASA astronomers have utilized data from multiple universes and ground-based telescopes to produce breathtaking new images of the Andromeda Galaxy, the nearest spiral galaxy to our Milky Way.

This new composite image of the Andromeda Galaxy features X-ray data from Chandra and XMM-Newton (depicted in red, green, and blue), ultraviolet data from Galex (blue), optical data from ground astrophotographers (Jakob Sahner and Tarun Kottary), as well as infrared data from Spitzer, Cobe, Planck, and Herschel (in red, orange, purple). Wireless data sourced from the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (red-orange). Image credit: NASA.

Also referred to as NGC 224, Messier 31, or M31, the Andromeda Galaxy is a spiral galaxy located approximately 2.5 million light-years from Earth.

With over 100 billion stars, it is comparable in size to our own Milky Way galaxy.

Visible as cigar-shaped patches of light high in the autumn sky, the Andromeda Galaxy’s enormous bubbles of high-temperature diffuse plasma make it appear 100 times the angular diameter of the full moon.

The galaxy is surrounded by a dark, invisible halo extending about a million light-years and is believed to contain half of its star mass.

Andromeda has significantly contributed to various fields of astrophysics, especially in the study and identification of dark matter.

In the 1960s, astronomer Dr. Vera Rubin and her team investigated Andromeda and identified invisible forces influencing the galaxy’s spiral arm rotations.

“This new image of the Andromeda Galaxy is released to honor Vera Rubin’s pioneering contributions that transformed our comprehension of the cosmos,” stated a NASA astronomer.

“Rubin’s meticulous measurements of Andromeda’s rotational curves provided some of the earliest and most convincing evidence that galaxies exist within vast halos of unseen material.”

“Her research reshaped long-standing assumptions and sparked a new era of inquiry into the structure and dynamics of the universe.”

“To celebrate her scientific achievements, the US Mint recently issued a quarter featuring Rubin as part of the American Women Quarters program in 2025.”

To create a new image of the Andromeda Galaxy, astronomers analyzed data from NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory, XMM-Newton, Planck, and Herschel Telescopes from ESA, in addition to data from retired Galex and Spitzer telescopes. Information was also gathered from astrophotographers using ground-based telescopes and wireless data from the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope.

“Each type of light provides unique insights into this neighboring galaxy as compared to the Milky Way,” the researchers noted.

“For instance, Chandra’s X-rays unveil high-energy radiation around the ultra-massive black holes at Andromeda’s core, alongside numerous small, dense objects scattered throughout the galaxy.”

“A recent publication on Chandra observations of the Andromeda Galaxy details the amount of X-rays emitted by the ultra-massive black holes at the galaxy’s center over the past 15 years.”

“One flare was detected in 2013, showcasing the typical X-ray amplification seen from a black hole.”