τ Andromedae (tau Andromedae)

τ Andromedae is a variable and double giant star in the constellation of Andromeda.

τ Andromedae visual magnitude is 4.94. Because of its moderate brightness, τ Andromedae should be easily visible from locations with dark skyes, while it can be barely visible, or not visible at all, from skyes affected by light pollution.

The table below summarizes the key facts about τ Andromedae:

Color of τ Andromedae ⬤

Magnitude of τ Andromedae 4.94

Class Giant

VISIBILITY RIGHT NOW τ Andromedae (tau Andromedae) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]. Altitude: 50°.

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of τ Andromedae

τ Andromedae is situated north of the celestial equator, as such, it is more easily visible from the northern hemisphere. Celestial coordinates for the J2000 equinox as well as galactic coordinates of τ Andromedae are provided in the following table:

Right Ascension J2000 01h 40m 34s

Declination J2000 +40° 34’ 36”

Galactic Longitude 132.92°

Galactic Latitude -21.34°

Constellation Andromeda

The simplified sky map below shows the position of τ Andromedae in the sky:

Finder chart τ Andromedae (tau Andromedae) star

Simplified finder chart for τ Andromedae (tau Andromedae).

Visibility of τ Andromedae from your location

Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London

τ Andromedae (tau Andromedae) is circumpolar and transits at 13:05 UTC (altitude: 79.1°)

Digitized Sky Survey image of τ Andromedae

The image below is a photograph of τ Andromedae from the Digitized Sky Survey 2 (DSS2 - see the credits section) taken in the red channel. The area of sky represented in the image is 0.5x0.5 degrees (30x30 arcmins). The proper motion of τ Andromedae is 0.013 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and -0.025 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 10000 years is represented with the red arrow.

Image of τ Andromedae (tau Andromedae) star

DSS2 image of τ Andromedae. The red arrow shows the motion of τ Andromedae during the next 10000 years (2.17 arcmin in Right Ascension and -4.17 arcmin in declination);

Distance of τ Andromedae from the Sun and relative movement

τ Andromedae is distant 680.58 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 14 kilometers per second.

Distance (parsec) 208.77 pc

Distance (light year) 680.58 ly

Heliocentric radial velocity -14 km/s

Proper Motion RA 0.013 arcsec/year

Proper Motion Dec -0.025 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of τ Andromedae

τ Andromedae belongs to spectral class B8 and has a luminosity class of III corresponding to a giant star.

Absolute magnitude -1.66

Spectral Type B8III

Color Index (B-V) -0.09

Temperature of τ Andromedae 11407K

The red dot in the diagram below shows where τ Andromedae is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.

H-R diagram showing the position of τ Andromedae. Attribution: Richard Powell / CC BY-SA

τ Andromedae star system properties

τ Andromedae is a visual double star which can be observed with the help of small or medium telescopes. The table below shows key information about the τ Andromedae double sysyem:

Main star magnitude 4.94

Secondary star magnitude 10.84

Magnitude difference 5.9

Separation 52.3 arcsec

Alternative designations of τ Andromedae

Bayer designation τ Andromedae
(tau Andromedae)

Flamsteed designation 53 Andromedae

Henry Draper Catalogue HD10205

SAO Catalogue SAO37418

Hipparcos Catalogue HIP7818

Durchmusterung Catalogue BD+39 378

General Catalogue of Variable Stars 584

Aitken Double Star Catalogue ADS1311

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Other stars in Andromeda