The nearest galaxy to the Milky Way is the Andromeda Galaxy, also known as M31. It’s approximately 2.537 million light-years away from us and is visible to the naked eye under optimal viewing conditions. Andromeda is on a collision course with the Milky Way and is expected to merge with our galaxy in about 4 billion years, forming a new elliptical galaxy.
Come for the Scenery, Stay for the Stars