The shape of distant galaxies depends on how their light is affected by gravity and space-time as it travels to us. One phenomenon that can distort the appearance of galaxies is called gravitational lensing, which occurs when a massive object bends the light from a more distant source, creating arcs or rings around it. Another factor that can affect the shape of galaxies is their relative motion to us. For example, the Andromeda Galaxy, which is about 2.5 million light-years away and 110,000 light-years in diameter , is moving towards us at about 300 km/s . This means that the light we see from different parts of Andromeda has left at slightly different times, but this effect is negligible compared to its size and distance. The Andromeda Galaxy appears as a nearly circular disk with two spiral arms , although its shape is also influenced by its interactions with two smaller companion galaxies, M32 and M110 .