Nature
What is the closest large galaxy to the Milky Way?
Correct answer Andromeda
Fact
Did you know?
The Andromeda Galaxy is about 2.5 million light years away and is the closest large galaxy to the Milky Way. Visible to the naked eye under a dark sky, it belongs with our galaxy and the Triangle galaxy to the Local Group. Andromeda is getting closer to the Milky Way and the two systems are expected to interact in several billion years. However, it is not the closest galaxy in the absolute sense: several satellite dwarf galaxies, such as the Sagittarius dwarf, are located much closer to us. The adjective “large” is therefore essential in the question.
Content last updated · August 14, 2026