Constellations are memorable maps to the stars, dating back many thousands of years.

Many of the constellations are associated with the Gods and Godesses of ancient Greek mythology.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has divided the sky into 88 official constellations with exact boundaries, so that every direction or location in the sky belongs to one constellation. Astronomers use this as a rough guideline for location objects, e.g. when they say that Mars is in the constellation of Gemini, it can be found within the borders of the constellation. The constellations that the Sun pass through each year are known as the Zodiac.

Cassiopeia

The Seated Queen

Queen of Ethiopia and Andromeda's Mother. It is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy.

Cassiopeia Mythology

In Greek mythology Cassiopeia was a vain queen who boasted about her unrivaled beauty.

Further Information

Five of the stars of Cassiopeia form a W/S/M shape (depending on its position in the sky), which is one of the most distinctive patterns in the northern sky. Since it is close to the north celestial pole, it remains in the sky all night long in most northern countries.

Cassiopeia Photographs

 

Taken on 2005-11-04, 1 views

 

Taken on 2005-11-06, 1 views

 

Taken on 2005-11-20, 1 views