Here’s the technique some people use to find the Andromeda Galaxy aka M31. But be sure you’re looking in a dark sky. Then look northward for the M – or W – shaped constellation Cassiopeia the Queen. Next locate the star Schedar in Cassiopeia. It’s the constellation’s brightest star, and it points to the Andromeda Galaxy. Chart via EarthSky.
The Andromeda Galaxy
The Andromeda Galaxy, aka Messier 31 (M31), is the nearest large spiral galaxy to our Milky Way. As a matter of fact, it’s wider in expanse than our Milky Way and contains more stars. In contrast to the Milky Way’s 100 billion to 400 billion stars, there are perhaps a trillion stars in the Andromeda Galaxy. And at about 2.5 million light-years away, it’s the farthest object you can see with the unaided eye. Plus, now is a good time to see it.
Read more: The Andromeda Galaxy: All you need to know
Use Cassiopeia to find the Andromeda Galaxy
So tonight, if you have a dark sky, try star-hopping to the Andromeda Galaxy from the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen. If your sky is dark, you might even spot this hazy patch of light with no optical aid, as the ancient stargazers did before the days of city lights.
But what if you aren’t under a dark sky, and you can’t find the Andromeda Galaxy with the eyes alone? Well, some stargazers use binoculars and star-hop to the Andromeda Galaxy via this W- or M-shaped constellation.
During the northern summer, Cassiopeia appears in the sky above the northern horizon at nightfall and early evening, then swings higher in the sky as evening deepens into late night. Then in the wee hours before dawn, Cassiopeia is found high overhead. Note that one half of the W is more deeply notched than the other half. So this deeper V is your “arrow” in the sky, pointing to the Andromeda Galaxy.
To see a precise view – and time – from your location, try Stellarium Online.
Images of the Andromeda Galaxy
Members of the EarthSky community have captured gorgeous images of this neighboring spiral galaxy.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Shaurya Salunkhe in Velhe, Maharashtra, India, used a telephoto lens to capture this view of Messier 31, the Andromeda Galaxy, on January 11, 2026. Shaurya wrote: “I captured the Andromeda Galaxy, the Milky Way’s closest neighbor and the largest galaxy of the Local Group. This is the farthest object that is visible to the unaided eye. It’s approximately 2.5 million light-years away. It’s a fascinating target with stunning colors not to mention the bonus little galaxies (M32 and M110) near it.” Thank you, Shaurya!
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Craig Freeman imaged the Andromeda Galaxy from Mansfield, Ohio, on October 5, 2025. Beautiful! Thank you, Craig.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Aquib Ali Ansari in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, captured Messier 31 (M31), the Andromeda Galaxy, on September 26, 2025. Thank you, Aquib!
Finder chart for the Andromeda Galaxy
Draw an imaginary line from the star Kappa Cassiopeiae (abbreviated Kappa) through the star Schedar, then go about 3 times the Kappa-Schedar distance to locate the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31). Image via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0).
Binoculars enhance the view
Binoculars are an excellent choice for beginners to observe the Andromeda Galaxy, because they are so easy to point. As you stand beneath a dark sky, locate the galaxy with your eye first. Then slowly bring the binoculars up to your eyes so that the galaxy comes into binocular view. If that doesn’t work for you, try sweeping the area with your binoculars. Go slowly, and be sure your eyes are dark-adapted. The galaxy will appear as a fuzzy patch to the eye. Naturally, it’ll appear brighter in binoculars. And can you see its central region is brighter and more concentrated?
But remember, with the eye, binoculars, or with a backyard telescope, the Andromeda Galaxy won’t look like the images from famous telescopes and observatories. Still, it will be beautiful. Plus, it’ll take your breath away. And just think, you’re looking at a galaxy over 2 million light-years away. Wow!
Bottom line: You can find the Andromeda Galaxy using the constellation Cassiopeia as a guide. Remember, on a dark night, this galaxy will look like a faint smudge of light. And once you’ve found it with the unaided eye or binoculars, look at it with a telescope if you have one.
Read more: Andromeda Galaxy: Find it by star-hopping from Pegasus
Read more: Andromeda Galaxy stuns in new images and sounds!
Bruce McClure
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About the Author:
Bruce McClure served as lead writer for EarthSky’s popular Tonight pages from 2004 to 2021, when he opted for a much-deserved retirement. You can still find many articles at EarthSky.org that were originally written by Bruce, and which the EarthSky editors still update regularly. Bruce is a sundial aficionado, whose love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and sailing in the North Atlantic, where he earned his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. He also wrote and hosted public astronomy programs and planetarium programs in and around his home in upstate New York. Bruce he loves cycles of all kinds! You can still find many articles at EarthSky with Bruce’s name on them, exploring the various, intricate cycles of the sky.