Cassiopeia (constellation)

Cassiopeia (constellation)

Infobox Constellation
name = Cassiopeia
abbreviation = Cas
genitive = Cassiopeiae
symbology = the Seated Queen
RA = 1
dec= +60
areatotal = 598
arearank = 25th
numbermainstars = 5
numberbfstars = 53 | numberstarsplanets = 1 | numberbrightstars = 5 | numbernearbystars = 3 | brighteststarname = α Cas (Schedar) | starmagnitude = 2.23 | neareststarname = η Cas (Achird) | stardistance = 19.4 | numbermessierobjects = 2 | meteorshowers = Perseids | bordering = Camelopardalis
Cepheus
Lacerta
Andromeda
Perseus | latmax = 90
latmin = 20
month = November
notes=

Cassiopeia (pron-en|ˌkæsiːəˈpiːə, colloquially IPA|/ˌkæsiˈoʊpiə/) is a northern constellation which Greek mythology considered to represent the vain queen Cassiopeia who boasted about her unrivaled beauty. It is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy.

Notable features

Cassiopeia contains two stars visible to the naked eye that rank among the most luminous in the galaxy: ρ Cas and V509 Cas. The star η Cas is a nearby (19.4 ly) binary star comprising a yellow Sun-like dwarf and an orange dwarf star. Cassiopeia looks like a W or a crown. If we were to observe Earth's Sun from Alpha Centauri, the Sun would appear to be in Cassiopeia as a yellow-white 0.5 magnitude star. The famous "W" of Cassiopeia would become a zig-zag pattern with the Sun at the leftmost end, closest to ε Cas.

Two Messier objects, Messier 52 (NGC 7654) and Messier 103 (NGC 581) are located in Cassiopeia. Both are open clusters and being 7th apparent magnitude objects they are easy targets with binoculars.

The supernova known as Tycho's Star, or SN 1572, was widely observed in Cassiopeia in 1572. The scientific description of this star was written by Tycho Brahe, and its appearance is said to have led Johannes Kepler to become an astronomer.

ee also

*Messier 52 open cluster

References

*
* Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). "Stars and Planets Guide", Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.

External links

* [http://www.allthesky.com/constellations/Cassiopeia/ The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Cassiopeia]
* [http://160.114.99.91/astrojan/cassio.htm The clickable Cassiopeia]
* [http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/chartweek7-19-06.html Traditional astrological talisman of Cassiopeia]
* [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/cassiopeia.htm Star Tales – Cassiopeia]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cassiopeia — can refer to: * Cassiopeia (mythology) (or Casseipeia), a queen of Ethiopia in Greek mythology. See also Boast of Cassiopeia. * Cassiopeia (constellation), a northern constellation representing the queen. * Cassiopeia A, a supernova remnant in… …   Wikipedia

  • Cassiopeia (constelación) — Cassiopeia Nombre Latino Cassiopeia Abreviatura Cas …   Wikipedia Español

  • Constellation de Cassiopée — Cassiopée (constellation) Pour les articles homonymes, voir Cassiopée. Cassiopée …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Cassiopeia — Cas si*o*pe ia, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?.] (Astron.) A constellation of the northern hemisphere, situated between Cepheus and Perseus; so called in honor of the wife of Cepheus, a fabulous king of Ethiopia. [1913 Webster] {Cassiopeia s Chair}, a group… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cassiopeia's Chair — Cassiopeia Cas si*o*pe ia, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?.] (Astron.) A constellation of the northern hemisphere, situated between Cepheus and Perseus; so called in honor of the wife of Cepheus, a fabulous king of Ethiopia. [1913 Webster] {Cassiopeia s… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cassiopeia's Chair — n. the five brightest stars in the constellation Cassiopeia that seem to form the shape of a W or M * * * …   Universalium

  • Cassiopeia's Chair — n. the five brightest stars in the constellation Cassiopeia that seem to form the shape of a W or M …   English World dictionary

  • Cassiopeia's Chair — Cassiopeia s Chair, a group of seven stars in the constellation Cassiopeia, which suggests a chair …   Useful english dictionary

  • Cassiopeia — northern constellation, in Greek mythology queen of Ethiopia and mother of Andromeda, from Gk. Kassiepeia, Kassiopeia, of unknown origin …   Etymology dictionary

  • Cassiopeia — [kas΄ē ō pē′ə, kas΄ē ōpē′yə] n. [L < Gr Kassiopeia] 1. Gr. Myth. the wife of Cepheus and mother of Andromeda 2. a N constellation between Andromeda and Cepheus …   English World dictionary

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