NASA has always released brilliant images about space taken from their satellites and telescopic probes in outer space. On January 5,2015 they have released in what must be the largest space photo ever released till date about our neighbouring galaxy Andromeda which is believed to be at an unimaginable distance of 2.5 million light years away.

The Andromeda Galaxy is spiral in shape and is the nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way, receiving its name from the Constellation of Andromeda (measuring an area 1400 times the size of the full moon) which is supposed to be named after a mythical Greek princess of the same name. The Andromeda galaxy is estimated to be the size of 1.5 by 10¹² solar masses (one solar mass being about as equal to the size of the sun).

Here is the whopping 1.5 Billion pixels picture taken by the NASA

Above picture taken from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope measures a gigantic 69536 by 22230 pixels which multiplies to a whopping 15 Billion Pixels. If you want to download to this photo better keep 4.3 gigabytes of space ready because this will definitely occupy the space of nearly 1200 photos. Photo can be downloaded here.

The Milky Way and Andromeda are expected to amalgamate in another 3.75 billion years, eventually merging to form a giant elliptical galaxy or perhaps a large disc galaxy. The sheer size of this galaxy and it also being one of the brightest ever captured in photos can be seen by the naked eye on moonless nights. The part most visible is the brighter central region when viewed using binoculars or a small telescope thereby making it appear similar to a star.

To experience the sheer size of the galaxy, the photo has been wonderfully presented in the form of this short video accompanied by the song from Koda – The Last Stand.

This video will definitely make us feel small humble and insignificant but manages to take our breath away.
[source: www.nasa.gov]