Tips & Tricks for Finding Andromeda (M31) Galaxy without a Star Chart or a Planisphere

Written by Marko on November 10, 2007

Many objects can be seen with naked eyes, and Andromeda (M31) is one of those. It is the most distant object that can be seen without equipment such as a telescope. It is located 2.3 million light years away from the Earth. It looks like any star, but with binoculars you it is possible to see the elliptical shape.

I took a look at my stats and found out that pretty many people are searching for information on how to locate Andromeda. This short article aims at providing you the needed information in order to find Andromeda in the nightsky.

Andromeda 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 (See the image). As said earlier, this is a little more difficult way to find Andromeda. Start with this information and without any equipment. Leave a comment if this information was not usefull or if you would like to ask something more. I would be glad to help you.

Image source.

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Comments

11-14-2007
5:04 am

Daniel

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article s for Finding Andromeda (M31) Galaxy without a Star Chart or a Planisphere | homeboyastronomy, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
11-20-2007
12:48 am

marko

Daniel, I’ll try writing better next time. Thank you for stopping by and welcome again.
02-24-2008
4:05 am

JENNY

I LOVE MENS PENIS BUT I LIKE ANDROMEDA BETTER
02-24-2008
4:43 am

marko

Heh.. now that was a true comment, Jenny
03-06-2008
3:55 pm

gavin rowlands

hiya.i am in no way interested in astrology etc.i bought a star and named it after my girlfrined for a birthday present.what i would like to know,in english(!),is how do i find the star in the sky?iv ebeen given a very close up map of the star,which doesnt help-and the star charts on the internet are not much use to me either.i live in south wales and can see the plough(about the only thing i know about it!!).can you direct me simply to the andromeda constellation form there please??you have my email.thanks a lot.gavin
03-07-2008
8:34 am

marko

Hi Gavin. Thanks for leaving your comment. I’ll check my email and I will help you to find Andromeda. I will send you pictures of the night sky simulation in which you should clearly see the location of Andromeda.
05-14-2008
8:44 pm

slim

hi it was very useful reading ur tricks but i want to know if with my bresser binocular 8×56 can i find M31and how and whene the best time.many thanks.take care
05-14-2008
8:45 pm

slim

hi im so happy that i found ur website its very useful and professionel.im a beginner i just purchased a breeser 8×56 to observe the sky but i have no idea where to look at. so if u can help me how to find some satrs that i can observe and how to find the famous galaxy M31.
05-19-2008
9:17 am

marko

Nice to hear that, slim. Thanks for your feedback!

You want to observe stars and galaxies? Just read my tips in this blog, there are pretty many already. Just ask me if you have problems or you don’t understand. My first language is not English, so I make mistakes every now and then..

I recommend you to read articles of these categories
http://homeboyastronomy.com/category/astronomy-tipstricks/
http://homeboyastronomy.com/category/observation-howto/
06-06-2008
6:33 pm

slim

hi really good articles now i have a picture of the sky map….so whats ur advise shall i keep my binocular the 8×56 or get a 15×70 or a bit harder to use a telescope? if so name some of the good product(binoculars).thank u,warmest reagrds.
07-14-2008
5:15 pm

Jono

I remember my dad teaching me the first method you mentioned, looking below Cassiopeia, when I was young. It’s always cool to be able to point to Andromeda and say “Oh that thing? Yeah, it’s almost 3 million lightyears away.” Thanks for the tips!
07-20-2008
4:19 pm

marko

Jono, I’m sorry for this late reply. It has been way too busy with my work. Anyhow, nice to hear that your dad had the same method. It’s always nice to ask friends like “you know what Andromeda is, the galaxy?”. They say, “oh yes, I know it”. Then you ask “can you show me where it is located?”, but they have no idea. Then you show it by using the method above
07-20-2008
4:40 pm

marko

slim, I appologize for this very late reply. If I was you, I would first try with your binoculars. If you can’t find, then just try bigger ones or jump directly to telescopes. With automated tracking systems you can let the telescope find the target automatically.
09-27-2008
7:16 am

LEE

Wonderful article!
11-03-2008
4:47 pm

Harun Azis Free Drink Recipes

Many objects can be seen with naked eyes, and Andromeda (M31) is one of those. It is the most distant object that can be seen without equipment such as a telescope. in Indonesia me can view this with naked eyes?
04-30-2009
5:33 pm

Livy

Thanks for this article that you rote it rele helped me alot with the project that i am doing for science on of the things we have to look up is tips for finding your constellation (Andromeda) and this was the pergect spot to look thanks a bunch!!!!!!!
08-02-2009
4:49 am

Fez

Hi,i was looking for the Andromeda galaxy and couldn`t find it.I happened on your page and within minutes i had found it in my telescope.I think it must be extremely hard to try to find this with binoculars as i have a 6″ Newtonian reflector telescope and it looks like a smear of fairly dim light.But thanks to your info,i was able to get it.Thanks a lot.FEZ
08-14-2009
5:58 am

clean

is right above the second fainter star (See the image). As said earlier, this is a little more difficult way to find Andromeda. Start with this information and without any equipment. Leave a comment if this information was not usefull or if you would like to ask something more.
09-09-2009
2:16 am

Rick @ Leica Microscopes

I enjoyed your post, very informative. I’m learning a lot from your site.
09-22-2009
12:06 am

jamesp338

hi my wife has just bought me a star and named it after my sister who has just passed away aged 25. i have no idea where to find the star, i have co-ordinates of 00:48:36.00 + 26:52:12.00 in the constellation of Andromeda, i was think of buying a telescope but don’t know what is good or bad, please can you send me in the right direction?
12-29-2009
10:19 pm

MICHELLE CLARK

Very informative blog – bookmarked !!!!
02-22-2010
11:17 pm

John Russell

Hi this site looks really useful

I have been given a star by my girlfriend in the andromeda constellation. I am having difficulty locating this as my limited knowledge of astronomy relates to the constellations Orion and the plough.

It would be great if you could mail any tips or directions to andromeda. Also which time of year is best to view this. I live in central England.

Many thanks
06-29-2010
7:13 am

frwefaf

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