Star profile

Rho Andromedae

3D likeness based on its real data · class F · ~6,500 K

What is Rho Andromedae

A yellow-white F-type star in Andromeda, 158 light-years away, slightly hotter and more luminous than the Sun and noticeably younger. It shines near the constellation that recalls the Greek princess chained to the rock — a beautiful figure whose great neighbouring galaxy, invisible to the ancients, was only revealed as a system beyond the Milky Way scarcely a century ago. Its modest light to the unaided eye crosses the autumn sky of the northern hemisphere without demanding the observer's gaze.

Where it is and when to see it

Rho Andromedae lies in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is October, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it culminates about 76° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 87° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 18° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 52° S.

It ranks no. 36 in brightness among the 81 stars of Andromeda in our catalogue. To find it, start from Alpheratz, the brightest: it lies about 9° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 160 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Rho Andromedae

Constellation: Andromeda
Apparent magnitude: 5.16
Distance: 158.3 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 5.280° · Dec 37.969°
Catalogue: HIP 1686 · HD 1671

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Other stars in Andromeda

Andromeda has 81 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 81 stars in Andromeda