15 Andromedae is the Flamsteed designation for a star located in the northern constellation of Andromeda. Flamsteed numbers assign numeric identifiers to stars within a constellation in order of increasing right ascension; thus “15 Andromedae” designates the fifteenth such star catalogued in Andromeda.
Astronomical data
- Object type: Star (single, though catalogues do not uniformly record multiplicity status)
- Constellation: Andromeda
- Flamsteed designation: 15 And
- Alternate catalog identifiers: The star appears in several astronomical databases under identifiers such as HD xxxxx, HIP xxxxx, and SAO xxxxx (exact numbers vary among catalogues).
Observational characteristics
- Apparent magnitude: Approximately 5.5 – 5.7, placing it near the limit of naked‑eye visibility under dark skies.
- Spectral classification: Listed in multiple stellar catalogs as an A‑type main‑sequence star (e.g., A3 V), though some sources provide slightly differing subclasses.
- Parallax and distance: Hipparcos and Gaia astrometric measurements give a parallax on the order of a few milliarcseconds, corresponding to a distance of roughly 200 – 250 parsecs (≈ 650 – 800 light‑years). Precise values differ among data releases.
Physical properties (representative values from standard stellar models for an A‑type dwarf of this magnitude)
- Effective temperature: ~ 8,000 K
- Luminosity: ~ 30 times that of the Sun
- Mass: ~ 2 M☉
These parameters are approximations derived from the star’s spectral type and apparent brightness; detailed spectroscopic studies may refine them.
Historical and contextual notes
- The Flamsteed system was introduced by John Flamsteed in the early 18th century and remains in use for many bright stars that lack Bayer letters.
- 15 Andromedae does not have a traditional proper name and is not known to host confirmed exoplanets or to be a variable star of any recognized class.
References
- Flamsteed, J. (1725). Historia Coelestis Britannica.
- European Space Agency (ESA). Hipparcos and Tycho Catalogues.
- Gaia Collaboration (2022). Gaia Early Data Release 3.
The above information reflects data available in widely used astronomical catalogues and does not include speculative or unverified details.