Time Travel and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

This is M31 the Andromeda Galaxy. The Andromeda galaxy is the closest galactic neighbor to the Milky Way Galaxy, our Galaxy. The Andromeda Galaxy is orbited by 2 satellite galaxies M32 and M110. Both are Dwarf Elliptical Galaxies. M32 is the bright ball of light in the top left side of the photo. M110 is the larger of the two, bottom middle of the photo.

Time Travel is possible! Well, kind of. The Andromeda Galaxy is 2.5 million light years away from Earth. What does this mean to us? that means that the photons travelling at the speed of light to get to my camera sensor and ultimately to your eyes took a literal 2.5 million years to make that journey. This means, that the ability to observe the universe in this way will likely the closest thing we will see in our lifetimes to actual time travel.

Since these photons are 2.5 million years old, this means we are seeing the Andromeda galaxy as it was 2.5 million years ago. Another implication of this, is that if an observer from Andromeda was peering down at earth from their telescope, they would see Earth as it was during the Paleolithic Period. 2.5 million years in the past. The Homo Genus was evolving, currently Homo Habibis roamed in Africa, and was the beginning of the Old Stone Age.

One of the coolest things about astronomy, is that we can view objects that are so vastly far from us, or we can view objects that are close to us. The now dwarf planet Pluto, is about 4.67 light hours from us. Meaning that if we had astronauts on Pluto they would see earth as it was 4.67 hours ago. Another classic example, is our closest star. The Sun. If the Sun were to disappear, we wouldn’t know for 8 minutes. Since light is the fastest thing known in the universe, we would be orbiting nothing for over 8 minutes. Another one of my favorites is Markarian’s Chain. Several of these galaxies within the chain would be able to observe the T Rex Dinosaur during the period it was alive. However, some are closer which means that they would be observing the asteroid that hit earth causing mass extinction for the dinosaurs.

Space Travel: The downside of these facts about time travel and space, is that physically travelling to some of these places is more than likely not possible, without future discovery of theoretical methods of transportation such as a wormhole. For example if we wanted to travel to and explore the Andromeda galaxy, Even if it travelled at the speed of light it would take 2.5 million years to reach there. You would have to travel non-stop, And the original crew that started that expedition would not be the ones to see it. If the average life span on the ship was 100 years, you would go through 25,000 generations worth of children before your lineage ever reached it.

Space provides a unique opportunity to bond as a species. We all breathe the same air, and live under the same night sky. When humanity works together, Amazing things are possible. I have no doubt that if humanity works together, space knowledge as we know it will increase. Expeditions to reach other planets in our solar system, new elements, increasing our understanding of the universe and the potential of the infinite nature of it. All of us working together, can make our world a better place.

Photo Acquisition Details:

2 panel mosaic, in Ha and RGB.

8 hours per panel in RGB, and 4 hours per panel in Ha. Resulting in approximately 24 hours total integration.

Mount: Star Adventurer GTI

Telescope: SVBony SV503 70ED

Filters: SVBony SV220 Duo Narrowband, Optolong L Pro

Autoguiding: 120mm Mini and 30mm scope

Processing: Pixinsight and Photoshop