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 8717HIP 7989HIP 7992HIP 800HIP 8001HIP 3227HIP 3229HIP 8006HIP 323HIP 8019HIP 8025HIP 9659HIP 3235HIP 8032HIP 656HIP 6543HIP 6547HIP 6548HIP 6559HIP 6562HIP 8036HIP 8255HIP 8042HIP 3240HIP 6579HIP 6580HIP 6583HIP 6596HIP 6598HIP 6600HIP 6571HIP 6611HIP 3248HIP 3250HIP 9997HIP 6619HIP 6645HIP 6650HIP 6632HIP 9665HIP 6665HIP 6667HIP 6681HIP 6685HIP 6661HIP 6697HIP 6725HIP 3267

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.