The Andromeda Galaxy...
Jewel Of The Andromeda Constellation

The Andromeda constellation contains the Andromeda galaxy, the most distant object visible with the naked eye.

M31 the Andromeda galaxy is a wide spiral galaxy. Use low magnification and a wide angle view to observe it.

Remember this though, Andromeda is 2.9 million light years away. When we look at it we see it as it was 2.9 million years ago, not as it is now. It's a look into the past.

M32 and NGC205 are galaxies located nearby also.

Open star cluster NGC752 is visible without optics but becomes quite a bevy of stars with a telescope.

NGC891 can be seen as a spiral galaxy in a 4.5inch(112.5mm) telescope.

The Blue Snowball nebula(NGC7662),is a planetary nebula visible in small telescopes. At higher magnifications the blue disk becomes very easy to see.

The Mythology Behind The Constellation Andromeda

Cassiopeia boasted of her beauty and angered the sea nymphs. Poseidon sent the creature Cetus to destroy their land.

In order to save their country Cassiopeia and Cepheus were told they had to sacrifice Andromeda.

After being chained to a rock to await her fate at the hands of Cetus, Andromeda was saved by her future husband Perseus.

Viewing The Beauty That Is Andromeda

Declination: 40 degrees

Visible between latitudes 90 and -40 degrees

Best seen in November (at 9:00 PM)

Named Stars: ALPHERATZ (Alpha And) MIRACH (Beta And) ALMAAK (Gamma 1 And) Adhil (Xi And)

Andromeda is a V-shaped constellation surrounded by her family. Cassiopeia, Cepheus, and Perseus are all near-by.

As is Triangulum. Andromeda also shares a star with the flying horse Pegasus constellation The princess' head is the star Alpheratz which is one of the corner stars in the Great Square Of Pegasus.

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