Catching a Neighbour: My DSLR Shot of the Andromeda Galaxy

The Andromeda Galaxy, our closest galactic neighbour, a massive spiral galaxy containing about one trillion stars. What makes this image so fascinating isn't just what you see, but when you're seeing it. The light captured in this shot has traveled 2.5 million years to reach my camera's sensor. That means I'm not seeing Andromeda as it is today—I'm seeing it as it was when early humans were just beginning to make tools. Every photon in this photo is a tiny time capsule from the distant past.

Andromeda, also known as M31, spans about 220,000 light-years across, making it even larger than our Milky Way. In about 4 billion years, it's expected to collide and merge with our own galaxy, forming a new one often nicknamed Milkomeda.

Capturing it with a regular DSLR proves you don't need a telescope to touch the stars—just clear skies, persistence, and a passion for the universe.

Thanks for reading — and clear skies!

Equipment and settings:

Camera: Canon EOS 90D

Star tracker: Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi

Focal-length: 290 mm

ISO settings: 800

Exposure: 60 seconds

Total images: 124

Total exposure time: 7440 seconds

Bortle: 5.9

Stacking software: Siril

Editing software: GIMP