Orange star · Andromeda

Almach

Also known as: γ¹ Andromedae (γ¹ And), HIP 9640

mag 2.1390 light-years

About

Almach (γ¹ Andromedae) is an orange star of magnitude 2.1 in Andromeda, about 390 light-years away.

Almach is in the constellation Andromeda.
Best evenings: around early December it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from north of 38° S.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesEasy, even from town. Its orange-red tint is plain to see.
Binoculars (10×50)A sharp point; binoculars bring out its colour and the fainter stars around it.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Still a point of light at any magnification — stars are too far away to show a disc. Low in the sky, bright stars twinkle and flash colours.

Stars look the same in any instrument: brighter and sharper, but never bigger.

Proper name	Almach
Designation	γ¹ Andromedae (γ¹ And)
Hipparcos number	HIP 9640
Type	Orange star
Spectral type	B8V
Colour	OrangeB−V colour index 1.37
Magnitude	2.1The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	390 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1630.
Proper motion	0.067″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Andromeda
Right ascension (J2000)	02h 03m 54.0s
Declination (J2000)	+42° 19′ 47″