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.

Cepheus

The King

Cepheus is a northern constellation named after King Cepheus in Greek mythology, and is considered to represent a king.

Cepheus Mythology

When including fainter stars, visible to the naked eye, Cepheus appears as a man with a crown (upside down with respect to the ecliptic). Together with other constellations nearby (Andromeda, Perseus, Cassiopeia, and possibly Pegasus), and the constellation Cetus below Cepheus, this may be the source of the myth of the Boast of Cassiopeia, with which it is usually identified.

Further Information

γ Cephei is a binary star approximately 50 light years away from Earth. The system consists of an orange star and a red dwarf. Due to the precession of the equinoxes, γ Cephei will be the pole star between 3000 and 5200 A.D., with the closest approach to the north celestial pole around 4000 A.D.

Cepheus Photographs

 

Taken on 2005-11-04, 1 views

 

Taken on 2005-11-06, 1 views