AUTUMN is the best time for viewing a galaxy 2.2 million light years away, says astronomy club member.
John Press has been doing astronomy for more than 40 years but only seriously with a good telescope for the last 5 years.
He took this stunning picture of one of the closest galaxies to Earth, with a DSLR camera and a standard 55-250mm zoom lens.
It is built up from around 100 individual shots added together by specialist astronomy software.
Read more:
>>> Jupiter at opposition - when and how you can spot it
>>> International Space Station passing in front of moon captured from Essex
John said: "Autumn sees the best time for viewing one of the closest galaxies to us, the Andromeda Galaxy.
"Under good clear skies it can just be glimpsed by the naked eye.
"A pair of binoculars will easily show it as a misty patch about twice the size of the full moon.
"The galaxy is 2.2 million light years away from us and will be almost directly overhead around midnight and will be visible all night."
John is a member of the Burnham-based East Essex Astronomy Club.
For more astronomy information and help contact the East Essex Astronomy Club.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here