Cassiopeia overhead on autumn evenings
The constellation Cassiopeia the Queen will be discovered excessive within the sky on October and November evenings, not removed from Polaris, the North Star. At any time of 12 months, you should utilize the Huge Dipper to seek out Cassiopeia. These two star formations are like riders on reverse sides of a Ferris wheel. They’re a part of an ideal spinning wheel of stars seen shifting counterclockwise round Polaris, the North Star, as soon as every day. As Cassiopeia rises upward, the Huge Dipper plunges downward, and vice versa.
A few of you know the way to star-hop to Polaris, the North Star, through the use of the Big Dipper’s pointer stars, as displayed on the sky chart under. As a result of the Huge Dipper’s deal with and Cassiopeia shine on reverse sides of Polaris, an imaginary line from any star on the Huge Dipper deal with by way of Polaris reliably factors to Cassiopeia.
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Cassiopeia is vibrant and simple to pick within the sky
Nonetheless, you gained’t want the Huge Dipper and Polaris to seek out Cassiopeia. That’s as a result of Cassiopeia could be very simple to pick. It’s small and compact and appears just like the letter M or W, relying on the time of night time and time of 12 months.
Just like the Huge Dipper, Cassiopeia will be seen even on moonlit nights.
Bonus for you in the event you dwell north of about 40 degrees north latitude, concerning the latitude of New York Metropolis! From that latitude and farther north, the Huge Dipper and Cassiopeia are each circumpolar. Meaning they’re all the time above the horizon at any time of night time, all 12 months spherical.
Star lore of Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia was once identified amongst astronomers and skywatchers alike as Cassiopeia’s Chair. Within the Thirties, the International Astronomical Union gave this constellation the official identify of Cassiopeia the Queen.
Cassiopeia was a queen in historical Greek mythology. In keeping with legend, she boasted she was extra lovely than the ocean nymphs referred to as the Nereids. Her boast angered Poseidon, god of the ocean, who despatched a sea monster, Cetus, to ravage the dominion. To pacify the monster, Cassiopeia’s daughter, Princess Andromeda, was left tied to a rock by the ocean. Cetus was about to devour her when Perseus the Hero appeared down upon her from Pegasus, the Flying Horse. Perseus rescued the Princess, and all lived fortunately.
The gods have been so happy, that every one of those characters have been elevated to the heavens as stars. Solely Cassiopeia suffered an indignity; her self-importance prompted her to be sure to a chair and positioned within the heavens in order that, as she revolves across the north celestial pole, she is usually in an upside-down place.
Backside line: Spot the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen someplace within the northern sky throughout a lot of the 12 months, and all through a lot of the night time.
