Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia, the Queen, is an easily recognized constellation whose five brightest stars form a distinctive W or M shape depending on its position in the sky. As a circumpolar constellation for northern mid-latitudes, it is visible year-round. Tycho Brahe observed the supernova of 1572 (Tycho's Star) in Cassiopeia, which helped overturn the prevailing view that the heavens were unchanging.

The Perseus family groups constellations connected by the Greek myth of Perseus, the hero who slew Medusa and rescued Andromeda. This family includes some of the most prominent autumn constellations in the northern sky. The constellations tell a connected story: King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia of Ethiopia, their daughter Andromeda chained to a rock, the hero Perseus arriving on Pegasus, and Cetus the sea monster — all placed in the sky as a complete mythological tableau.

Mythology & History

The Perseus myth is one of the most complete stories preserved in the constellations. Cassiopeia's boast that she was more beautiful than the sea nymphs angered Poseidon, who sent Cetus to ravage the coast. The oracle declared Andromeda must be sacrificed, but Perseus — fresh from beheading Medusa — turned the monster to stone with the Gorgon's head. Perseus married Andromeda, and all the characters were later placed among the stars. The variable star Algol (Beta Persei) was associated with Medusa's winking eye, and its regular brightness changes were noted by ancient Egyptian astronomers as early as 1244 BC.

Observation Tips

The Perseus family constellations are best seen in autumn and winter from northern latitudes. Cassiopeia's distinctive W-shape is circumpolar from mid-northern latitudes and serves as a guide to finding the other family members. This region is exceptionally rich: the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) — the most distant object visible to the naked eye — lies in Andromeda, the Double Cluster (NGC 869/884) straddles Perseus, and the annual Perseid meteor shower (peaking in August) appears to radiate from Perseus.

HIP 116876HIP 116962HIP 117004HIP 117062HIP 117103HIP 117286HIP 117402HIP 117711HIP 4179HIP 418HIP 4182HIP 4183HIP 3476HIP 3477HIP 4192HIP 1478HIP 14833HIP 14882HIP 117775HIP 117957HIP 117984HIP 1180HIP 118056HIP 118090HIP 14902HIP 14936HIP 14948HIP 15069HIP 15139HIP 15150HIP 15180HIP 1519HIP 11817HIP 118259HIP 15405HIP 1543HIP 1550HIP 15646HIP 12081HIP 12178HIP 12254HIP 12322HIP 12369HIP 1244HIP 15735HIP 15796HIP 15846HIP 1590

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cassiopeia constellation?
Cassiopeia (Cas) is one of the 88 IAU-recognized constellations in the Northern hemisphere. Cassiopeia, the Queen, is an easily recognized constellation whose five brightest stars form a distinctive W or M shape depending on its position in the sky. As a circumpolar constellation for norther
How many stars are cataloged in Cassiopeia?
StarFYI currently catalogs 2,352 stars in the constellation Cassiopeia.
What is the brightest star in Cassiopeia?
The brightest star in Cassiopeia is Schedar.
How large is the Cassiopeia constellation?
Cassiopeia covers 598.41 square degrees of the sky.
What family does Cassiopeia belong to?
Cassiopeia belongs to the Perseus Family of constellations.