The Andromeda Galaxy, also known as Messier 31 or M31, is a large spiral galaxy located about 2.537 million light-years away from the Milky Way. It is the closest major galaxy to our own and is similar in size and structure to the Milky Way. The Andromeda Galaxy is visible to the naked eye as a faint, hazy patch in the night sky, appearing as a distinct object in the constellation Andromeda.
While the Andromeda Galaxy is relatively close to us on a cosmic scale, we are not part of it. The Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy are two separate and distinct galaxies. They are part of what is known as the Local Group, a collection of galaxies that includes over 50 smaller galaxies.
As for your second question, when we look at the night sky, we can observe objects both within our own galaxy and beyond it. While we reside within the Milky Way, we can still observe other galaxies, including the Andromeda Galaxy and many more, due to the vastness of the universe.
When we observe objects outside our galaxy, we are essentially looking beyond the plane of the Milky Way and into intergalactic space. The light from distant galaxies travels vast distances across the universe to reach us. It is important to note that our view of the cosmos is limited by the presence of interstellar dust and gas within our own galaxy, which can obstruct our view of more distant objects.
By using telescopes and other observational instruments, astronomers are able to study objects outside of our galaxy. They observe the light emitted by these objects and analyze various properties such as their spectra, luminosity, and distance to gain insights into the nature and evolution of the universe as a whole.
So, while we are located within the Milky Way, our ability to observe objects outside our galaxy comes from the incredible distances light can travel and the technological tools we have developed to study the cosmos.