Describe how to find the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) in the night sky. Locate the con
ID: 2013873 • Letter: D
Question
Describe how to find the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) in the night sky. Locatethe constellation Pegasus in the Sky Gazer window. (If you don’t know how to
find Pegasus, go the “View” menu, select “The Constellations …,” and choose
Pegasus.) Notice where Pegasus is located with respect to the Andromeda
Galaxy. Now imagine you are out at night with a friend who has never seen the
Andromeda Galaxy. (You need a very dark night to see it.) Suppose that you
have both already found Pegasus in the night sky.
What directions would you give your friend to help him or her find the Andromeda Galaxy?
Explanation / Answer
ndromeda is close to the North Pole and it can be seen in autumn. It is best viewed in northern hemisphere, but also few people in the southern hemisphere can see it in spring. Although Andromeda is rather big galaxy, it is not easy to find. Andromeda lies near to the Milky Way, next to Cassiopeia, Cepheus and Cygnus. These constellations are not difficult to find, which helps much in finding Andromeda. "Now, there are various ways to find Andromeda. One pretty good way to find it is that find the W-shape of Cassiopeia first. Now, look at the V-shape on right side. You see that it points down, just like an arrow. Andromeda is about 15 degrees far from the tip of the V-shape, but the arrow does not point directly to Andromeda. In fact you need to search Andromeda from the right side of the line. I think this is the easiest way to find Andromeda. Another way to find Andromeda is to start by finding first Alpheratz. Next calculate two bright stars to the left, and after that two fainter stars upwards. Andromeda Galaxy, M31, is right above the second fainter star" [1] To find andromeda after locating pegasus imagine the y-shape of pegasus on the nightsky. andromeda will be located to the left of the y. beside Mirach, the second star from the bottom [1]http://homeboyastronomy.com/2007/11/10/tips-tricks-for-finding-andromeda-m31-galaxy-without-a-star-chart-or-a-planisphere/