Cassiopeia is shaped like an "M" or "W"
12 comments Print Me Email to FriendTonight is Wednesday, Feb 18 2009
Erick wrote, “Do you have any information on Cassiopeia’s Chair?”
Erick, you’ve used the lovely old-fashioned name for this constellation. In the 1930s, the International Astronomical Union gave this constellation an official name of Cassiopeia the Queen. But skywatchers still see the chair, and speak of it.
Cassiopeia was a queen in ancient Greek mythology. According to legend, she boasted she was more beautiful than the sea nymphs, called the Nereids. Her boast angered Poseidon, god of the sea, who sent a sea monster (Cetus the Whale) to ravage the kingdom. To pacify the monster, Cassiopeia’s daughter, Princess Andromeda, was left tied to a rock by the sea. Cetus was about to devour her when Perseus the Hero happened by on Pegasus, the Flying Horse. Perseus rescued the Princess, and all lived happily . . . and the gods were pleased, so that all of these characters were elevated to the heavens as stars. Only Cassiopeia suffered an indignity.
Our chart today shows Cassiopeia in the northwest in the hours after sunset. At this time of year – and at this time of night – this constellation has the shape of the letter M, and you might imagine the Queen reclining on her starry throne. But, at other times of year or night, Cassiopeia’s Chair dips below the celestial pole. And then this constellation appears to us on Earth more in the shape of a W. Then the Lady of the Chair, as she is sometimes called, is said to hang on for dear life. If she lets go, she will drop from the sky into the ocean below, where the Nereids must still be waiting.
Hi again. When can I see Andromeda if I live in the northeastern part of the United States
Whats the most occult star?
Sirius
definately the sun
One correction: Perseus did not ride Pegasus. He used the winged shoes of Hermes.
One question: I am seeing a large bright light in the Western sky. The object almost looks square. What could I be seeing?
I see the big bright star on the western sky also, what is it?
Hello everybody! The bright ‘star’ in the west after sunset is really a planet – Venus.
I see the bright lighted planet too. I live in the pacific northwest and from here it looks like an actual “STAR”… Way to cool from here, and you say it is Venus?
Yep. Venus. Cool, huh?
Sirius rises late in the dark, liquid sky
On summer nights, star of stars,
Orion’s Dog they call it, brightest
Of all, but an evil portent, bringing heat
And fevers to suffering humanity
Awwwww!
Shalom From Israel:)