Weighing Andromeda: Mass estimates of the M~31 galaxy

Abstract

Andromeda (M 31) is the nearest giant spiral galaxy to our Milky Way, and over the past few decades, has been dubbed the most massive member of the Local Group. I explore the evolution of the measured mass of M 31 over the past ~80 years, reviewing the different observational and modelling techniques that have developed over time to measure its mass. I discuss the best present-day constraints of the mass of M 31 and the consistency of different techniques.