Andromeda (galaxy)

File:600px-Andromeda galaxy.jpg

Andromeda Galaxy

The Andromeda Galaxy, also referred to as Messier Object 31, M31, or NGC 224, is a massive spiral galaxy in the Local Group, together with Mutter's Spiral and thirty-one other galaxies. Andromeda is approximately 2.9 million light-years, or 920 kiloparsecs, from Earth's galaxy.

Andromeda is much larger than the Mutter's Spiral, indicating that it contains substantially more stars and thus, planets. However, the Doctor and his companions appear to have visited only a handful of planets in that galaxy.

Known Facts

• Humans reached the Andromeda galaxy sometime after the 50th century.
• The Wirrn are native to Andromeda, though their nesting grounds were destroyed by Human colonists and a lone surviving Queen fled the galaxy. (DW: The Ark in Space)
• The town of Castrovalva, a block transfer computation structure created by the Master as a trap for the Fifth Doctor, was located on a lush green world in Andromeda. (DW: Castrovalva)
• An agency known as 'the Three Sleepers' originate from Andromeda. Having stolen data from the Matrix on Gallifrey, the Sleepers took refuge on Earth of the far future; in retribution, the Time Lords used their Magnetron to devastate the planet by fire, moving it two light years to cover up the leak. Owing to the move a rescue ship sent from Andromeda to recover the Sleepers, and the data, missed Earth and causing the Sleepers to die in suspended animation. Sabalom Glitz is also said to be "from the constellation of Andromeda" (which is presumably a part of Andromeda). (DW: The Trial of a Time Lord)
• The Movellans originated in Andromeda, before being expelled from that galaxy by a coalition of races known as the Organic League. (DW: FASA role-playing game)