The AsterNym star registry
Alpheratz
Alpheratz: the blue-white star of Andromeda
blue-white · Andromeda · α And
Alpheratz is a blue-white star — the colour of the hottest, youngest suns in the constellation Andromeda, one of the few thousand stars bright enough to carry an officially recognised name. On a dark, clear night you can find it with your own eyes.
Most stars in the sky are anonymous points of light. Alpheratz is not — it has held a name across generations of sky-watchers, which makes it a rare thing to attach a name of your own to.
Real star · Personal dedication · Recorded in the AsterNym registry
See what a dedicated page looks like — preview
Alpheratz at a glance
- Constellation
- Andromeda
- Other name
- α And
- Catalogue number
- HIP 677
- Distance
- ≈ 97 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 2.07 naked-eye
- Star type
- B8 IV-V
- Colour
- blue-white
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 00h 08m 23s
- Declination
- +29° 05′ 25″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Alpheratz dedication represent?
Alpheratz is especially meaningful for someone who:
- · Deserves something older than any gift shop
- · Marks a beginning, an anniversary or a promise
- · Is remembered every time you look up
- · Has a light you want recorded somewhere permanent
Dedication idea
“For the one I think of when I find Andromeda in the sky.”
Where can you see Alpheratz?
It is easy to see from most of the Northern Hemisphere. It can also appear from lower southern latitudes, but it never rises for observers south of about latitude 61°S.
Alpheratz belongs to Andromeda, where it is the brightest star.
Dedicate Alpheratz to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Alpheratz dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Alpheratz's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Alpheratz keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Alpheratz
- Is Alpheratz the brightest star?
- Alpheratz shines at magnitude 2.07 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Alpheratz?
- Alpheratz is approximately 97 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 97 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Alpheratz?
- Alpheratz is the brightest star in Andromeda.
- Can everyone see Alpheratz?
- It is easy to see from most of the Northern Hemisphere. It can also appear from lower southern latitudes, but it never rises for observers south of about latitude 61°S.
- Is dedicating Alpheratz an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Alpheratz keeps its internationally recognised astronomical name. An AsterNym dedication records your personal name and message in the AsterNym registry without changing the star's scientific identity.