Mad'man (
, I couldn't help the abreviation! Kindred spirit I see,
), thanks for that info. The pictures you've provided really lend to consider that M31 has been very busy in merging with other galaxies, and would seem to be in a 'settling down' phase. It would seem to be developing a distinct ring structure with an internal barred spiral system. I've seen a few pictures of galaxies of a similar nature, but at a more developed stage.
Any other X-ray images of M31 that may suggest the existence of other blackholes to hint at the cores of consumed galaxies? I'm taking this from the hypothisis that Omega Centauri, 47 Tuc and M2 are consisdered the remnant cores of captured galaxies within the MW. If there is, this/these remnant cores could be influencing the formation of this ring structure, much like the shepherd moons in Saturn's rings.