Identifying celestial objects like the Andromeda Galaxy in photos taken with a phone can be challenging. Whether the object in your photo is the Andromeda Galaxy depends on several factors.
Firstly, the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way and is visible to the naked eye from Earth under dark-sky conditions, appearing as a small, elongated, blurry patch. It is located in the Andromeda constellation, which can be seen in the northern hemisphere, especially from late summer to winter nights.
If your photo was taken under favorable conditions—clear dark skies, away from city lights, during a time when Andromeda is visible—there’s a higher chance that you’ve captured the galaxy. However, the quality of the image depends a lot on atmospheric conditions, the capabilities of your phone camera, and whether the exposure settings were adjusted to allow for a long enough exposure to capture the faint light.
Consider checking your location and comparing the star patterns in your image to star maps or using an app that identifies celestial objects based on your location and the time the photo was taken. This can help verify if the bright spot in your picture aligns with M31’s position. Additionally, the Andromeda Galaxy usually isn’t highly detailed in phone images; it often looks like a smudge or hazy oval.
If the photo shows a structured object with arms or more vivid details, it might be a different astronomical object, such as a star or a closer nebula, or might be affected by camera noise rather than a distant galaxy.