Note that 'near' in intergalactic terms still means thousands or millions of light years away (in comparison to say, the moon, which is about one light second away). Galaxies occur in groups or clusters - the nearest 40 or so galaxies on this list are all members of the Local Group and beyond that they are generally classed as belonging to one of the neighbouring clusters such as the M81 or Centaurus A Groups.

The reader should be aware that there are certain unavoidable difficulties with this list.

• It is incomplete. Previously unknown objects are being discovered all the time. The reader will see that even some of the closest items are among the latest found. Satellite galaxies of the Milky Way located at the far side of our galaxy are extremely difficult to discern through the bulk of our home system. In fact it is possible for any galaxy to mask another located beyond it.
• Although the editors have combed the literature, it is certainly possible that already discovered galaxies have escaped our notice and, thus, not yet been listed.
• Distance measurements, like most measurements, entail error bars. The list includes what are considered to be the latest and the best, but are not to be taken as final. Many methods are employed to determine galactic-scale distances. Figures listed are composites of four, five, or sometimes eight separate methods, some of which have had their error bars tightened to the point of no longer overlapping with some other methods' bars. Also, many methods determine distance to a point in a galaxy, which itself must be measured relative to the rest of that galaxy (see next item).
• A galaxy is an immense object. The distances from the closest edge – an ill-defined spot in itself – to the galactic core spans thousands, possibly up to a quarter million, lightyears. The distance estimates, therefore, are merely to some spot within the galaxies.
• Please note that these distances are from Earth. A satellite galaxy of the Milky Way on our side of our galaxy may well be listed as closer than one on the far side which is actually orbiting closer in to the Galactic core. This discrepancy might be compounded for a dwarf galaxy embedded in, and being cannibalized by, the Milky Way.

Caveat lector.

See also

• Galaxy
• Local Group
• List of galaxies
• list of spiral galaxies
• list of nearest stars

Notes

References

Karachentsev, I. D. et al. (2003). "Distances to Nearby Galaxies in Sculptor". Astronomy and Astrophysics 404 93. 0302045. | doi=10.1051/0004-6361:20030170}} McConnachie, A. W. et al. (2005). "Distances and Metallicities for 17 Local Group Galaxies". MNRAS 356 979. 0410489. | doi=10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.08514.x}} Van den Bergh, S. (2000). "Updated Information on the Local Group". The Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific 112 (770): 529–536.