Andromeda

Greek mythology · one version

The princess and the sea monster

After Cassiopeia’s boast angers the sea gods, her daughter Andromeda is chained beside the sea as an offering to a monster. Perseus defeats the creature and frees her, and her figure joins the family’s story in the stars.

Traditional pictures show a woman with outstretched arms, sometimes with chains; the star lines are a simplified guide to her figure.

People around the world have given these stars different figures and stories. This is one interpretation. Lines are recognition aids, rather than official constellation boundaries.

Finding Andromeda

Above the horizon. Clear skies and a dark enough view are still needed. The figure’s centre is toward the south in this preview.

Use the bright reference stars below to recognise the shape. A complete drawing can extend outside the current camera window, even when its stars are above the horizon. Open its guide in Sky Timeline to compare the stars with an illustrated interpretation where available.

Bright reference stars

Alpheratz

Magnitude 2.1

Mirach

Magnitude 2.1

Lower magnitude numbers mean brighter stars. Clouds, nearby lighting and moonlight change what your eyes can pick out.

Explore another night

Visibility changes with place, season and time. Move through the night to see the object rise, cross the sky and set, while weather remains a separate estimate.