et Andromeda in your sights
Make sure you're equipped for the very best views of our nearest spiral, also known as Messier 31
You’ll need: ✔A dark observing site ✔ Our finder charts ✔A pair of binoculars (optional) ✔A small telescope (optional)
1 Get dark adapted
It’s important to let your eyes adapt properly. Messier 31’s light is spread over a wide area and any light pollution or moonlight will hide it from view.
2 Find Cassiopeia
First find Cassiopeia, a W-shaped constellation high in the Northern Hemisphere sky. Then locate the upside-down ‘Y’ of Perseus directly by it.
3 Use star hopping
Starting at Mirfak, the central star in Perseus, slowly ‘star hop’ two stars along to the right to Mirach in Andromeda.
