Red giant · Andromeda

Mirach

Also known as: β Andromedae (β And), HIP 5447

mag 2.1200 light-years

About

Mirach (β Andromedae) is a red giant of magnitude 2.1 in Andromeda, about 200 light-years away.

Mirach is in the constellation Andromeda.
Best evenings: around late November 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 44° 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	Mirach
Designation	β Andromedae (β And)
Hipparcos number	HIP 5447
Type	Red giant
Spectral type	M0IIIvar
Colour	Orange-redB−V colour index 1.58
Magnitude	2.1The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	200 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1830.
Proper motion	0.21″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Andromeda
Right ascension (J2000)	01h 09m 43.9s
Declination (J2000)	+35° 37′ 14″