How Do You Find The Andromeda Galaxy?
• You will need to locate three constellations, Pegasus, Cassiopeia and Andromeda (This chart shows the night sky for 35°N and is set for the 1st of December at 8:00 pm local, but can be used for later in the evening before that date and earlier after). The best time to find the Andromeda Galaxy is between August through late March. • Pegasus is one of the easier to locate of the three, as it looks like a giant rectangle; this is the Great Square of Pegasus. Cassiopeia is even easier to locate, looking like a giant “M” or “W”. Andromeda lies between them. • Draw a line from the star Sirrah (also known as Alpheratz) on the edge of Pegasus and Andromeda to the star Ruchbah in Cassiopeia. • Draw a line from Mirach through mu Andromedae and on through the first line. Keep in mind that mu Andromedae is dimmer than Mirach. Scan the area just to the southeast of where the lines meet, along the second line, with binoculars or a small telescope. You’ll notice an oval of faint light. This is the
