Andromeda Constellation
The Chained Princess
Pronunciation: an-DRAH-mih-duh
Andromeda from John Flamsteed’s Atlas Coelestis. Source image provided by www.RareMaps.com — Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps Inc.
| Andromeda Constellation Facts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Abbreviation: And | Genitive: Andromedae | |
| Origin: Ancient | Location: Northern Hemisphere | |
| Best View (North): Autumn | Best View (South): | |
| Bordering Constellations: Perseus, Cassiopeia, Lacerta, Pegasus, Pisces, Triangulum | ||
The Myth Behind the Constellation Andromeda
Andromeda was the daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia of Aethiopia. She was chained to a seaside rock as a sacrifice to stop the sea monster Cetus from ravaging the Aethiopian coast and destroying the country. The monster had been sent by Poseidon as a punishment for Queen Cassiopeia’s boasting that her daughter was more beautiful than any of the Nereids. As the monster approached, Andromeda was spotted by Perseus, who was fresh off his victory over the Gorgon Medusa. When he gazed upon the princess’ beauty he fell in love. He used the severed head of Medusa to turn the monster to stone, saving the princess. They married and had seven children. Upon her death she was placed amongst the stars by Athena.Andromeda Constellation Points of Interest
| Interesting Objects in the Constellation Andromeda | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Messier | NGC | Type | Visibility |
| Andromeda Galaxy | M31 | NGC 224 | Spiral Galaxy | Naked-Eye |
| M32 | NGC 221 | Elliptical Galaxy | Binoculars | |
| M110 | NGC 205 | Elliptical Galaxy | Binoculars | |
Bright Stars in Andromeda
These are the stars in Andromeda with a minimum magnitude of 3.0.| Name | Bayer Name | Magnitude | Color | Luminosity | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpheratz | Alpha Andromedae | 2.06 | Blue-White | 139 suns | 97 ly |
| Mirach | Beta Andromedae | 2.06 | Red | 3848 suns | 199 ly |
| Almach | Gamma Andromedae | 2.26 | Orange | 5608 suns | 356 ly |