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Ephemeris: 10/16/2023 – Finding the constellation of Andromeda

October 16, 2023 Comments off

This is Ephemeris for Monday, October 16th. Today the Sun will be up for 10 hours and 57 minutes, setting at 6:56, and it will rise tomorrow at 8:00. The Moon, 2 days past new, will set at 7:43 this evening.

In the east at 9 this evening can be found a large square of stars, the Great Square of Pegasus the upside down flying horse. The square is standing on one corner. What looks like its hind legs stretching away from the left corner star is another constellation, Andromeda the chained princess. She is seen in the sky as two nearly horizontal but diverging curved strings of stars that curve upward. She was doomed to be devoured by a sea monster that was ravaging the coast due to her mother, Queen Cassiopeia’s boasting, which angered the god Poseidon. She was rescued by the hero Perseus, a nearby constellation, riding his steed Pegasus.

The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT –4 hours). They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Andromeda and friends
Andromeda and neighboring constellations that are related to her story. Created using Stellarium and GIMP.