What is the constellation Andromeda?
Andromeda (Andromeda) is a constellation that has 722º squares, and ranks 19th, in tossa, among the 88 constellations. The constellation is located between Right Ascension 23 and 2 hours, and declination between + 23º and + 50º, approximately. Its star α is Sirah, a name originating from Arabic that means navel of Andromeda, and it is one of the stars that make up the square of Pegasus (Pegasus). Sirrah is also called Alpheratz, which means shoulder of the horse, alluding to the Pegasus. The star β is Mirach, which means the apron. γ is Alamaak, an Arabic name that means desert lynx, and is a double star.
There is the open cluster NGC 752, and the planetary nebula NGC 7662. There is also the large spiral galaxy of Andromeda, cataloged by Messier as M31; and also M32, and M110. The constellations associated with the myth of Perseus are Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Cetus (the sea monster), Pegasus, and Perseus.
With Andromeda’s brightest star, α Andromedae, called Alpheratz or Sirrah, an asterism called the Great Pegasus Square can be constructed together with α, β, and λ Pegasi. This star was considered part of Pegasus, which is confirmed by its name: «shoulder of the horse.»
β Andromedae is called Mirach, the davantall. It is at a distance of 88 light years and has a magnitude of 2.1.
γ Andromedae, Almachar, is found in front of the southern leg of the large «A». It is a beautiful multiple star with opposite colors.
υ Andromedae has a planetary system with three confirmed planets of 0.71 times, 2.11 times, and 4.61 times the mass of Jupiter. The most famous deep-sky object in Andromeda is M31, the large Andromeda galaxy, the most distant object visible to the naked eye.
Mythology
Andromeda was the daughter of Cepheus, king of Ethiopia, and Cassiopeia. The queen had Goss said that both she and her daughter were more beautiful than any of the Nereid nymphs, who lived at the bottom of the sea and were reputed to be the most beautiful creatures. In revenge, Poseidon, the god of the sea, sent a sea monster that terrified the population. If Cepheus wanted Salaver to have his people, he had no choice but to sacrifice his daughter. Andromeda was chained to a rock waiting for the monster to devour her when Perseus, son of Danae and Zeus, appeared, coming from the shores of Serifos having killed the Gorgon Medusa. Seeing Andromeda in that state, he decided to free her and as soon as the water monster emerged, he managed to cut the animal in two. Cepheus, grateful for Perseus’s feat, gave him his daughter as his wife.
Andromeda Representations
The figure Andromeda chained to the rock represents a weak aspect of the archetypal woman who finds her natural defender in man. This vision has inspired many classic works of art. The structure of the myth is also repeated in many films in which a defenseless woman is rescued by the hero, giving him the opportunity to shine.