The Andromeda Constellation | NOIRLab

The Andromeda Constellation | NOIRLab

Photo of the Andromeda constellation

Photo of the constellation Andromeda with annotations from the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and Sky & Telescope magazine.

Illustration of the Andromeda constellation

Andromeda is one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century Greco-Roman astronomer Ptolemy, and one of the 88 modern constellations. Located in the northern celestial hemisphere, it is named for Andromeda, daughter of Cassiopeia, in the Greek myth, who was chained to a rock to be eaten by the sea monster Cetus. Andromeda is most prominent during autumn evenings in the Northern Hemisphere, along with several other constellations named for characters in the Perseus myth. Because of its northern declination, Andromeda is visible only north of 40° south latitude; for observers farther south, it lies below the horizon. It is one of the largest constellations, with an area of 722 square degrees. 

This photo of the constellation Andromeda was produced by NOIRLab in collaboration with Eckhard Slawik, a German astrophotographer. 

Credit: E. Slawik/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/M. Zamani
Release Date: Dec. 23, 2024

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