Constellation
Andromeda - The Princess of Ethiopia
Object name: Andromeda
Equatorial: RA: 00h 32m 43s Dec: +38°34'27"(current)
Equatorial 2000: RA: 00h 32m 24s Dec: +38°32'24"
Sky Database: Constellation
Abbreviation: And
Constellation: Genitive Form: Andromedae
Description: Andromeda, the Princess of Ethiopia
Pronunciation: an DRAHM' ee duh
Genitive Pronunciation: an DRAHM' ee dee
Andromeda - The
Princess of Ethiopia
Andromeda
- Daughter of King
Cepheus and Queen
Cassiopeia. The Queen Cassiopeia
had
boasted that she was lovelier than any of the
Nereids a
group of beautiful sea nymphs. The Nereids were deeply offended
by the claim and turned to the sea god Poseidon to seek vengeance. Poseidon dispatched a sea monster depicted in the constellation Cetus to
destroy the coastal land of King Cepheus'
territory killing all in the process. King Cepheus
consulted the Oracle of Ammon asking for a way to defend against the terrible
sea monster Cetus. The Oracle explained that King
Cepheus must sacrifice his daughter
Andromeda to the
beast.
Andromeda was then chained to a rock
as bait for
Cetus, However, Andromeda was rescued from the
brink of death by the hero Perseus who
came flying in on Pegasus the winged horse. Perseus
had recently returned from a trip where he had killed Medusa. He
used the head of Medusa to turn the sea monster Cetus
into stone freeing
Andromeda. The
two fell in love and subsequently married. Andromeda bore
Perseus six children. The Greek
goddess Athene then placed Andromeda's likeness among the stars
between Perseus and
Cassiopeia.
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