Constellation Notes: Andromeda
Name Meaning: "Princess of Ethiopia" (from Greek Mythology)
References:
Allen, Richard H. "Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning."
Olcott, William Tyler. "Star Lore: Myths, Legends, and Facts."
Ridpath, Ian. “Star Tails.”
Staal, Julius DW. "The New Patterns in the Sky: Myths and Legends of the Stars."
Information:
From the Perseus legend. Linked to the other constellations of Perseus, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Pegasus, and Cetus (Olcott 21).
Some connections made with Pisces as fish were commonly depicted to be at her feet (Allen 33).
Cassiopeia boasted that she was prettier than sea nymphs* and offended Neptune, who summoned a sea monster (Cetus) in his rage. To quell his anger, Jupiter told the family that the daughter, Andromeda, must be sacrificed to the sea beast. She was subsequently chained to rocks until Perseus rocked up and slayed the monster and saved her (Olcott 21).
*Sea nymph is also referred to as a "nereid" (Allen 31).
"Andromeda is always represented as a woman in distress, and the sea monster has always been understood to be her persecutor, and from his mouth pours forth the stream Eridanus" (Olcott 25).
Staal theorizes that the origin of this legend would have been from the Red Sea, making Andromeda "a dark-skinned girl" (Staal 9). Apparently Ovid alluded to this, given his description of her being "of the dusky color of her country" (also Staal 9).
Represented in some depictions with chained ankles + wrists. (Olcott 21).
Apparently there are claims this constellation could have existed from 6000 BC (Olcott 23)? Cool. Also thought to have originated from Mesopotamia (Staal 9).
Was called "Antarmada" in Hindu mythology (Olcott 22).
Was associated with a sea calf/seal in some Arabian mythology (Olcott 23).
Appeared in the Babylonian mythology creation story concerning "Bel Marduk" and Tiamat (Allen 32).
In Chinese Astronomy, the appearence of this constellation in the Autumn Sky was "a reminder that it was time to see to the manufacture of foot wear" (Staal 10).
One obviously cool feature inside this constellation is the Andromeda Galaxy, the most notable Galaxy besides the Milky Way.
Near the location of Almach is a recurring meteor shower called the "Andromedids," thought to be the remnants of the comet "Biela" which "split into two before the eyes of observing astronomers during the middle part of the 19th Century" (Staal 13).
Notable stars:
Alpha Andromedae Name: Alpheratz Color: Blue Apparent Magnitude: 2.06 - Name derives from Arabic for "the horse's navel" (Allen 35). - Also called "Sirrah" (Allen 35). - Formerly associated with the Pegasus constellation (Olcott 26). - Known as one of the "three guides" (the others being Beta Cassiopeiae and Gamma Pegasi) of the "equinoctial colure" or the prime meridian of the sky (Olcott 26). - Apparently portends honor and riches to those born under its influence in astrology (Olcott 26). - Known as "the head of the woman in chains" (Olcott 26).
Beta Andromedae Name: Mirach Color: Red Apparent Magnitude: 2.07 - Name probably derives from Arabic for "a girdle or waistcloth" (Allen 36). - Known as "Cingulum" by some, including Hipparchos (Allen 35). - Commonly used to find the Andromeda galaxy (Wikipedia).
Gamma Andromedae Name: Almach Color: Yellow (binary with blue) Apparent Magnitude: 2.27 - Name derives from Arabic for a "small predatory animal of Arabia, similar to a badger" (Allen 36). - In Chinese astronomy, this star "...was Tien Ta Tseang, Heaven's Great General."" (Allen 37). - Its companion made it very beautiful to many astronomers due to the contrasting gold and blue (Olcott 27). - Considered "honorable and eminent" astrologically (Olcott 27). - Its binary companion was discovered by Johann Tobias Mayer and Wilhelm Struve in 1778 and 1842 respectively (Allen 37).
51 Andromedae Name: Nembus Color: Orange-Red Apparent Magnitude: 3.57 - Name origin is unknown (Wikipedia) but damn is Nembus a cool AF name so I have to include it regardless of how irrelevant this star is.
Ideas:
"Constellation of Sacrifice." Perhaps this constellation is full of "sacrificial" Celestials?
Associations with chains.
If involved with the Celestial Civil War, would probably be on the Red side. May want to fight back against their sacrificial nature through violent means.
Note: "sea nymphs" is also apparently a name for the Nereids, which is the name for one of Neptune's moons and a character in the comic. Some sort of connection between Andromeda and Nereid?