Andromeda, the Chained Princess

Andromeda (an-DROM-eh-dah) is a crooked "V" shape (FCPS Starfinder, No. 17, Southern Sky) which converges toward the star Alpheratz (Letter "R"), a star shared by Pegasus, the Winged Horse (refer to October CoM). The upper line has four dim stars; the lower line has four corresponding bright stars.

Note: Alpheratz, meaning "horse's navel," is the head (and brightest star) of Andromeda. From the name given to this star by the Arabs, it was meant to be a part of the constellation Pegasus, but now falls within the boundary of Andromeda.

The Andromeda Galaxy (Messier Object M31) is located near the constellation Andromeda. The galaxy appears as a hazy spot best seen out of the corner of the eye. It is a spiral galaxy similar to our galaxy, the Milky Way. For more information, read the transcript of Andromeda Galaxy, the 03 December 1996 StarDate, the daily astronomy-related radio program produced by the McDonald Observatory, University of Texas.

Associated Mythology - Andromeda was a princess, daughter of Queen Cassiopeia and King Cepheus. Cassiopeia enraged the sea nymphs by boasting of her beauty. Neptune punished Cassiopeia for her vanity by threatening to destroy her city unless she surrendered her daughter Andromeda to the sea monster Cetus (who was ravaging the coast). But Perseus killed the sea monster and saved Andromeda.

Cassiopeia, the Queen

Cassiopeia (KASS-ee-oh-PEE-uh) has an easy-to-recognize "W" or "M" shape (FCPS Starfinder, No. 3, Northern Sky). The lazy side of the "W" is where her head is located. A line arcing from the "Pointer Stars" (Merak and Dubhe, Letters "C" and "B" respectively, Ursa Major, No. 1) through Polaris (Letter "D," Ursa Minor, No. 2) will lead to Cassiopeia.

Associated Mythology - Cassiopeia was a vain woman. She was punished for boasting of her great beauty, claiming that she was more beautiful than the sea nymphs. As punishment, she is seen in the sky standing on her head much of the year.

For more information about associated mythology, read the transcript of Cassiopeia, the 05 November 2000 StarDate program.

Pisces, the Fish

Pisces (PIE-seez) is the 12th constellation of the Zodiac for birthdates between 19 February and 20 March. It is a very dim, difficult to recognize constellation and is not shown on the FCPS Starfinder. A dim oval of stars beneath the Great Square of Pegasus forms the southern fish, known as the "Circlet." The second, and dimmer, group of stars is located just beneath the center of Andromeda and forms the northern fish. The two fish are connected by a line of very dim stars known as the rope or ribbon.

We are now in the "Age of Pisces, the Fish"; the "Age of Aquarius" (remember the old song by the Fifth Dimension?) will dawn in about 600 years.

Associated Mythology - One Greek story (based upon Syrian legend) says the fishes are Venus and her son Cupid who escaped Typhon, the fire-breathing giant, by jumping into the Euphrates River and turning themselves into fish.

A Roman story says that the constellation is named in honor of the two fish that carried Venus and her son to safety. They were bound together by the rope so that they wouldn't get separated from each other.

Credits: CoM entries excerpted from Your Guide to the Constellations, by Lowell L. Koontz, former Planetarium Teacher at Edison High School, Fairfax County Public Schools.

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