Almach
star · Andromeda · 2.1ᵐ
A celebrated double: a golden giant with a bluish companion — one of the most beautiful colour pairs in the sky, within reach of a small telescope.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Almach around the year 1633.
About 36 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Almach in?
Almach lies in Andromeda.
Is Almach visible to the naked eye?
2.1ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Almach?
Best observed in October.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 2h 04m · +42° 20′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Andromeda
- How to observe
- 2.1ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- K3IIb — orange star
- Absolute magnitude
- -3.3ᵐ
- Luminosity (visual)
- ≈1,800 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~393 light years
- Designation
- HIP 9640
Observing tip
Stars stay points at any magnification: aim your telescope for colour, brightness and companions, not detail.
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 72° · never sets | — |
| +55° | 77° · never sets | — |
| +45° | 87° | 18° |
| +30° | 78° | 39° |
| 0° | 48° | 48° |
| −35° | 13° | 35° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 18:18 |
| February | 16:11 |
| March | 14:26 |
| April | 12:32 |
| May | 10:38 |
| June | 08:32 |
| July | 06:28 |
| August | 04:27 |
| September | 02:34 |
| October | 00:45 |
| November | 22:45 |
| December | 20:36 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.