The Andromeda galaxy lights up October skies — Here is all you need to know

The Andromeda galaxy lights up October skies. (Image: Jim Preusse)

As autumn settles in, October 2025 offers an exceptional opportunity for stargazers to observe the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). This galaxy is also known as the Milky Way's closest galactic neighbour.

The galaxy is currently in an excellent position in the sky during the night and, therefore, this is the best month that astronomers could take advantage of to view the galaxy.

Andromeda Galaxy appears at a distance of 2.5 million light-years of distance. It will appear in the eastern sky during the month of October just below the sunset peaking at around midnight. By morning it moves on to the north westerly horizon.

This route will make sure that the observers are able to see the galaxy without the atmospheric distortion, which is often caused by looking near the horizon.

To locate Andromeda, one should identify the constellation Cassiopeia. This cluster creates a unique w-shaped figure in the sky in the north. The three stars at the left of this 'W' are a pointer. The brightest star in this pointer called 'Shedar' is at the point to point the direction to the Andromeda Galaxy.

In order to view the Andromeda Galaxy, one must be on a place with dark skies and minimum light, preferably not in the presence of city lights. The naked eye view shows the galaxy as a faint smudge oval in form which can just be seen in the night sky.

With the aid of a pair of field glasses or a little telescope, the bright central core will be seen with a portion of the spiral structure.

A long-exposure camera would also give them exciting views of the spiral arms of M31 and its neighboring galaxies. This would provide a closer and more colourful view of the planetary sibling.