59 Andromedae is a binary star in the Andromeda constellation best viewed on autumn nights.
As a 6th magnitude star system, 59 Andromedae is a brighter, tighter binary star within reach of suburban astronomers with any modest-sized scope. The pair of stars are separated by a distance of 1,370 astronomical units—considered quite close by astronomical standards. In the sky, they lie 16.6 arcseconds apart. The primary star is classified as a B9 V star, while the slightly dimmer secondary star is an A1 V star.1
The author Sissy Haas describes the stars’ colors, saying they are “pearly white and peach white.”2
My Observations
| Date | November 18, 2022 |
| Time | 8:01 p.m. |
| Location | Seattle, WA |
| Magnification | 169x |
| Scope | Meade 8″ SCT |
| Eyepiece | 12mm |
| Seeing | Above Average |
| Transparency | Above Average |
The primary (drawn as the left star on my sketch) appears white, while the secondary has a warmer hue. I can understand how Sissy Haas described this star as “peachy white.” Further to the left of the binary, I see a dim blue star.
The temperature has been dropping since I started my observations an hour ago. This late autumn night is near freezing, so I’m searching and sketching between warming my hands and walking circles around the telescope. To keep me company, I’m listening to a live broadcast called Live on Patrol on YouTube. One of the voices caught my attention as the speaker sounds like my grandfather, who passed many years ago, The welcoming voice echoes deep in my head, and I think of him as I sketch this lonely double.
Key Stats
| Constellation | Andromeda |
| Best Viewing | Autumn |
| Visual Magnitude | +6.0, +6.8 |
| Separation | 16.6″ | 1,370 AU |
| Position Angle | 36° |
| Spectral Class | A=B9, B=A1 |
| Absolute Visual Magnitude | -1.80 |
| Distance from Earth | 1,700 ly |
| Milky Way Location | Orion Spur |
| My Viewing Grade | B+ |
| Designations | 59 And, SAO 55331, HD 13295, Struve / STF 222 |
Sources and Notes
1 “59 Andromedae.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Mar. 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/59_Andromedae.
2 Nanson, John. “At the Top of the Sky: Alpha (α) and Eta (η) Cassiopeiae; 59 Andromedae.” Star-Splitters, 15 Apr. 2013, https://bestdoubles.wordpress.com/2010/08/21/at-the-top-of-the-sky-alpha-and-eta-cassiopeiae-59-andromedae/.
Sketch by Wayne McGraw
The Garden Astronomer 