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Published online 31 May 2005 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news050531-2

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Galactic neighbour gets supersized

Andromeda galaxy is three times larger than was thought.

Andromeda, the nearest large galaxy, has been found to be almost three times wider than astronomers thought.

Previous estimates had suggested that the spiral galaxy, also known as M31, was about 75,000 light years across.

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