Andromeda Galaxy

Andromeda

Distance to Earth: 2,538,000 light years
Magnitude: 3.44
Stars: 1 trillion
Constellation: Andromeda
Coordinates: RA 0h 42m 44s | Dec 41° 16.152'
Apparent mass: ~1,230 billion M☉

The Andromeda Galaxy (/ænˈdrɒmɨdə/) is a spiral galaxy approximately 2.5 million light-years (2.4×1019 km) from Earth in the Andromeda constellation. Also known as Messier 31, M31, or NGC 224, or Norak, it is referred to as the Great Andromeda Nebula in oldest texts. The Andromeda Galaxy is one of the nearest spiral galaxies to both the Milky Way and Hexisan, but not the closest galaxy overall. It gets its name from the area of the Earth sky in which it appears the constellation of Andromeda, which was named after the mythological princess Andromeda. The Andromeda Galaxy is the largest galaxy of the Local Group, which also contains the Milky Way, Hexisan, the Triangulum Galaxy, and about 30 other smaller galaxies. Although the largest, little is still known about the Andromeda Galaxy due to its great distance and chaotic environment. It contains one trillion stars (at least twice the number of stars in the Milky Way or Hexisan galaxy) which are estimated to be 200–400 billion years old. It is also estimated that Andromeda and the Milky Way will collide in 3.75 billion years, merging to form a giant elliptical galaxy.

Andromeda is also feared for its many radioactive clusters. The huge gathering of stars creates a dangerous barrier of energy than not even the strongest Hexisan Plasma Shields can withstand. The energy is so powerful in fact that many planets, moons and meteors that get within 10 million light years of some of these clusters melt immediately. Andromeda also has a collection of small black holes which lurk in Andromeda’s atmosphere. The holes are former stars that imploded on themselves many years ago, but refuse to melt into Andromeda's atmosphere. Given that there are so many radioactive clusters and black holes, exploring Andromeda safely is next to impossible. Those who have visited the distant galaxy often are never heard from again. However, if pioneers were some how able to find a way to route a safe trail in Andromeda, the possibilities could be endless. For Andromeda's many stars make for an environment enriched atmosphere filled with natural resources which could be harvested. In addition, the chances of discovering new life are not only possible, but highly probable.

Planets of Andromeda

While Andromeda is larger than both the Hexisan or Milky Way galaxies, its massive cluster of stars makes for a nearly impenetrable radiation wall that blocks most high tech sensors from peeking at its contents. This wall is created by a ring of "Radiation Storms" (Radioactive Clusters), which have collectively merged together. A space radiation storm happens when an explosion on stars accelerates solar protons outward. These protons stream are (mostly) deflected by planet's magnetic fields, but in extreme cases like the Andromeda Radiation Storms, can devour entire ships, small moons or sometimes, even entire planets. The Prometheus Space Environment Center has defined five types of radiation storms, ranging from mild to extreme that have converged to make Andromeda not only unviewable, but unexplorable. This is a big disappointment to the scientific community, who theorizes that there could be billions of planets hiding within Andromeda's chaotic environment.