Andromeda galaxy (M31), optical image. This large galaxy consists of a central nucleus surrounded by spiral arms. It is flanked by two dwarf elliptical galaxies, M32 (NGC 221) and M110 (NGC 205). M32 is seen as a large star-like dot directly above the Andromeda galaxy's nucleus, while M110 is the blurry-edged white smudge to the lower left of the Andromeda galaxy. The system is found in the constellation Andromeda and is around 2.5 million light years from Earth, the closest major galaxy to the Milky Way.