12 ASTRONOMY TUTORIALS TO MASTER

For the very best views of the night sky

- Stuart Atkinson and Nigel Watson

Get 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.

4 Seek a smudge

Look for an elongated smudge of light a short distance from Mirach. This is Messier 31. Use averted vision if you don’t see it right away.

5 Use binoculars

Use binoculars if you can’t see Messier 31 with just your eyes. You will see it as a distinct ovalshaped blur that’s grey-white in colour.

6 Upgrade to a small telescope

Through a small telescope Messier 31 will look much brighter. You might even see one or both of its small satellite galaxies, Messier 32 and Messier 110.