Andromeda

Andromeda, the Chained Maiden, is a northern constellation best known for containing the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), the most distant object visible to the naked eye at about 2.5 million light-years. M31 is the largest galaxy in our Local Group and is on a collision course with the Milky Way, expected to merge in about 4.5 billion years.

The Perseus family groups constellations connected by the Greek myth of Perseus, the hero who slew Medusa and rescued Andromeda. This family includes some of the most prominent autumn constellations in the northern sky. The constellations tell a connected story: King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia of Ethiopia, their daughter Andromeda chained to a rock, the hero Perseus arriving on Pegasus, and Cetus the sea monster — all placed in the sky as a complete mythological tableau.

Mythology & History

The Perseus myth is one of the most complete stories preserved in the constellations. Cassiopeia's boast that she was more beautiful than the sea nymphs angered Poseidon, who sent Cetus to ravage the coast. The oracle declared Andromeda must be sacrificed, but Perseus — fresh from beheading Medusa — turned the monster to stone with the Gorgon's head. Perseus married Andromeda, and all the characters were later placed among the stars. The variable star Algol (Beta Persei) was associated with Medusa's winking eye, and its regular brightness changes were noted by ancient Egyptian astronomers as early as 1244 BC.

Observation Tips

The Perseus family constellations are best seen in autumn and winter from northern latitudes. Cassiopeia's distinctive W-shape is circumpolar from mid-northern latitudes and serves as a guide to finding the other family members. This region is exceptionally rich: the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) — the most distant object visible to the naked eye — lies in Andromeda, the Double Cluster (NGC 869/884) straddles Perseus, and the annual Perseid meteor shower (peaking in August) appears to radiate from Perseus.

HIP 1400HIP 1403HIP 1406HIP 1409HIP 141HIP 11063HIP 1759HIP 176HIP 1411HIP 1763HIP 1416HIP 111HIP 1769HIP 115602HIP 115608HIP 115711HIP 115715HIP 11573HIP 115743HIP 115791HIP 115864HIP 115944HIP 115947HIP 115972HIP 115992HIP 115993HIP 1123HIP 116081HIP 116135HIP 1164HIP 116409HIP 11273HIP 116443HIP 116505HIP 116534HIP 116540HIP 116583HIP 116606HIP 116681HIP 116716HIP 116761HIP 116824HIP 116847HIP 116911HIP 116947HIP 116999HIP 117000HIP 117007

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Andromeda constellation?
Andromeda (And) is one of the 88 IAU-recognized constellations in the Northern hemisphere. Andromeda, the Chained Maiden, is a northern constellation best known for containing the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), the most distant object visible to the naked eye at about 2.5 million light-years. M31
How many stars are cataloged in Andromeda?
StarFYI currently catalogs 2,143 stars in the constellation Andromeda.
What is the brightest star in Andromeda?
The brightest star in Andromeda is Alpheratz.
How large is the Andromeda constellation?
Andromeda covers 722.28 square degrees of the sky.
What family does Andromeda belong to?
Andromeda belongs to the Perseus Family of constellations.