Andromeda (constellation)
Andromeda is a constellation in the northern sky. It is surrounded by Perseus, Cassiopeia, Lacerta, Pegasus, Pisces and Triangulum. α Andromedae is also called Alpheratz or Sirrah.
| Andromeda | |
|---|---|
| Latin name | Andromeda |
| Latin genitive | Andromedae |
| International abbreviation | And |
| Number of stars | 139 |
| Symbology | Daughter of Cassiopeia |
Named stars
The brightest stars in Andromeda are α Andromedae (Alpheratz) and β Andromedae (Mirach), both of which are of apparent magnitude 2.06. The star γ And. is the third named star and is usually known as Almach [1]
Remarkable objects
Groombridge 34 is one of the nearest double star systems known and consists of two red dwarf stars located 11.6 light years from Earth.
Andromeda also contains a number of deep-sky objects of which perhaps the best known is the Andromeda Galaxy, also known as M 31 and NGC 224, and its satellite galaxies NGC 221 (M 32) and NGC 205 (M110). The open cluster NGC 752 is conspicuous in small optical instruments.
History and mythology
According to legend, Andromeda was a daughter of an Ethiopian king named Cepheus. She was forged to a rock to be eaten by Cetus as a punishment of her mother Cassiopeia who insulted the Gods by telling everybody that her daughter was more beautiful than the nymphs, the daughters of Neptune.
References
- ↑ Bright Star Catalogue, 5th revised edition, 1991
| 88 Official Constellations by IAU |
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Andromeda • Antlia • Apus • Aquarius • Aquila • Ara • Aries • Auriga • Boötes • Caelum • Camelopardalis • Cancer • Canes Venatici • Canis Major • Canis Minor • Capricornus • Carina • Cassiopeia • Centaurus • Cepheus • Cetus • Chamaeleon • Circinus • Columba • Coma Berenices • Corona Australis • Corona Borealis • Corvus • Crater • Crux • Cygnus • Delphinus • Dorado • Draco • Equuleus • Eridanus • Fornax • Gemini • Grus • Hercules • Horologium • Hydra • Hydrus • Indus • Lacerta • Leo • Leo Minor • Lepus • Libra • Lupus • Lynx • Lyra • Mensa • Microscopium • Monoceros • Musca • Norma • Octans • Ophiuchus • Orion • Pavo • Pegasus • Perseus • Phoenix • Pictor • Pisces • Piscis Austrinus • Puppis • Pyxis • Reticulum • Sagitta • Sagittarius • Scorpius • Sculptor • Scutum • Serpens • Sextans • Taurus • Telescopium • Triangulum • Triangulum Australe • Tucana • Ursa Major • Ursa Minor • Vela • Virgo • Volans • Vulpecula |