The constellation, Cepheus. Click on image for full size (36K JPG) Windows Original

Cepheus is one of the oldest constellations in the night sky. He is a circumpolar constellation, circling around the North Star all year long. This house-shaped constellation is named after an ancient king of a land called Ethiopia (different from the current country, Ethiopia). He was married to the beautiful Cassiopeia and had a daughter, Andromeda.

In Greek mythology, Cassiopeia boasted that she and her daughter were more beautiful than the Nereids. They complained to the sea god Poseidon, who sent a monster to destroy Cepheus' land. The king and queen offered their daughter to the monster, but she was saved by Perseus. All four people, along with the monster, are represented in the sky by constellations.

Cepheus looks like a house with a steep roof. It is not clear as to what ancient people saw in this constellation. It is full of interesting objects. The brightest star in the constellation is Alderamin, which is the westernmost star in Cepheus. The top of the house is a special type of star called a cepheid. Cepheids are pulsating stars, used to find large distances.

Cepheus is full of galaxies and nebulae, although most are too dim to see with the naked eye. If you scan across the constellation with a telescope, you should find at least four different nebulae. It is also full of star clusters, ten to be exact. Unfortunately, most must be viewed with a telescope. Slightly south of Cepheus lies a star that would be considered the North Star if we lived on Mars. This red cepheid is one of the most colorful stars in the sky.

The constellation, Cepheus. Click on image for full size (36K JPG) Windows Original

Cepheus was king of a land called Ethiopia in Greek myth. He had a wife named Cassiopeia and a daughter, Andromeda. Cassiopeia liked to brag about her beauty so much, that she said she and Andromeda were more beautiful than the Nereids. Poseidon got very angry, and sent a sea monster to kill Cepheus and his family.

Andromeda was offered as a sacrifice, and just when the sea monster was going to eat her, Perseus saved her. All four people, along with the monster, are in the sky as constellations.

Cepheus looks like a house. The point on top is a special star called a cepheid. These stars are used to measure long distances. Just below the constellation is another cepheid. This red star would be the North Star if we lived on Mars.

There are several galaxies, star clusters and nebulae within Cepheus. However, most are very dim and can only be seen with a telescope. If you have a telescope to use, browse this old constellation to find many celestial objects.

The constellation, Cepheus. Click on image for full size (36K JPG) Windows Original

Cepheus was a king in Greek mythology. His wife was Cassiopeia and his daughter was Andromeda. Cassiopeia once said some things to make the sea god angry. A monster was sent up to eat Andromeda, but Perseus saved her. Today, all five objects are constellations.

Cepheus looks like a house. The roof's tip is a special star called a cepheid. It is used by scientists to measure long distances. Another cepheid is just below the constellation. This red star would be the North Star if we lived on Mars!

Cepheus is full of neat things like nebulae, clusters and galaxies. You will need a telescope to see them!