![]() The Cassiopeia (constellation) occupies an area of 598 square degrees. They all feature in myths relating to Perseus, the Great Warrior. These include Lacerta, Pegasus, Andromeda, Auriga, Perseus, Cepheus, Cetus, and Triangulum. This image shows a constellation from CassiopeiaĬassiopeia belongs to the Perseus family of constellations. After boasting that she was more beautiful than the Sea Nymphs, her punishment was to circle endlessly in the sky, sitting on her golden throne. ![]() These stars have fascinating names like Schedar, Caph, Ruchbah, Segin, and Achird.Ĭassiopeia comes from the Greek myth of a beautiful Queen who could not contain her vanity and arrogance. It has 5 bright stars that form a distinctive W-shape that is easy to recognize. Read on to learn more about the constellation Cassiopeia and interesting Cassiopeia facts.Ĭassiopeia is a medium-sized constellation located in the northern celestial hemisphere. Cassiopeia is an exciting constellation to explore, offering the spectacular Messier 52 galaxy. It is an ancient constellation that dates back to Greek times and is associated with a vain and arrogant Queen who eternally circles around the Celestial North Pole on her throne.Ĭassiopeia can be found in the sky by locating Andromeda, her daughter, and Cepheus, her husband. The Cassiopeia constellation is the 25th largest in the sky. Visible at: Latitudes between +90° and −20°īest viewed: During the month of November at 9.00pm position: 22h 57m 04.5897s – 03h 41m 14.0997sĭistance from earth: The average distance is 268 light-years Because the constellation is in a circumpolar position (meaning that it seems to revolve centered around the pole star, Polaris), Cassiopeia is at times suspended upside down in the sky in a very undignified position.R.A. As a punishment for her treachery, her constellation (a zig-zag shape like an "M" or "W") is supposed to represent Cassiopeia either chained to her throne (in an ironic reference to her daughter's ordeal) or stuffed into a basket. Poseidon is supposed to have set images of Cepheus and Cassiopeia in the sky. He picked up Medusa's head (which he was bringing back as proof that he killed her) and when his attackers looked at it, they turned to stone. Perseus fought off a number of them but was greatly outnumbered. In some versions of the myth, Cassiopeia summoned Agenor, who rushed into the wedding party with armed men. Johannes Hevelius' Cassiopeia from Uranographia (1690)Īndromeda wanted to keep their promise and insisted that the wedding be held immediately. They had already agreed to marry her to Cephus's uncle (his father's twin brother Agenor), and once she had been rescued, they tried to break their promise to Perseus. Cepheus and Cassiopeia agreed reluctantly. Perseus offered to kill the sea monster and rescue Andromeda in return for her hand in marriage. Perseus was returning from carrying out his oath to kill the Gorgon, Medusa. She was rescued by the hero Perseus who had seen her chained to the cliff and had fallen instantly in love with her. Andromeda was chained to a sea cliff to be eaten by the monster. Cassiopeia's husband, King Cepheus consulted an oracle, who told him that the only way to appease Poseidon and stop the monster was to sacrifice Andromeda. Poseidon sent a flood carrying a sea monster to destroy the kingdom. The Nereids begged Poseidon to punish Cassiopeia. Thetis, and Poseidon's wife Amphitrite (an alternate sea goddess), were also Nereids, so Cassiopeia's boast was an insult to the gods. She boasted that she and her daughter Andromeda were more beautiful than the Nereids, the 50 sea nymph attendants of Thetis, the sea goddess, and Poseidon, the sea god. ![]() The story behind the name: Cassiopeia is named after the queen of a country on the northern coast of Africa, Aethiopia (not modern Ethiopia).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |