Andromeda is a northern hemisphere constellation with the Andromeda Galaxy residing within the constellation. The only spiral nebula visible to the unaided eye in the northern hemisphere is contained within Andromeda constellation. Some of this constellation stars are named after Andromeda. R Andromedae is a Mira (variable) star with a brightness range of 9 magnitudes. Gamma Andromedae is a double star. Gamma Andromedea brighter member is golden yellow, and its companion is greenish blue.
Andromeda Galaxy is the nearest major galaxy to our Milky Way Galaxy. Andromeda Galaxy (M 31) is 2.5 million lightyears from. It is the most distant object visible to the unaided eye beneath a dark sky. It is bright enough to be seen with binoculars under a city illuminated sky. It is the largest member of our local group of galxies with about twice the mass of our Milky Way.
Andromeda's Starship Logs: Homepage
Burton Craddock
Last update: May 17, 2000