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Cepheus (constellation)
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Cepheus (constellation)
Cepheus
Constellation
List of stars in Cepheus
Abbreviation
Cep
Genitive
Cephei
Pronunciation
/ˈsiːfiəs/ or /ˈsiːfjuːs/;
genitive /ˈsiːfiaɪ/
Symbolism
the King/King Cepheus
Right ascension
22 h
Declination
+70°
Quadrant
NQ4
Area
588 sq. deg. (27th)
Main stars
7
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
43
Stars with planets
1
Stars brighter than 3.00m
1
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)
3
Brightest star
α Cep (Alderamin) (2.45m)
Nearest star
Kruger 60
(13.15 ly, 4.03 pc)
Messier objects
0
Meteor showers
None
Bordering
constellations
Cygnus
Lacerta
Cassiopeia
Camelopardalis
Draco
Ursa Minor
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −10°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of November.
Cepheus (constellation)
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Cepheus is a constellation in the northern sky. It is named after Cepheus, King of Aethiopia in Greek mythology. It
was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and remains one of the 88 modern
constellations.
History and mythology
Cepheus was the King of Aethiopia. He was married to Cassiopeia and was the father of Andromeda, both of whom
are immortalized as modern day constellations along with Cepheus.[]
Notable features
Stars
The constellation Cepheus as it can be seen by the
naked eye.
Alpha Cephei, traditionally called "Alderamin", is a white hued
star of magnitude 2.5, 49 light-years from Earth. Beta Cephei,
traditionally called "Alfirk", is a double star with a blue-hued giant
primary of magnitude 3.2 and a secondary of magnitude 7.9. The
primary is a variable star considered to be the prototype of its
subclass of pulsating variable stars, which are sometimes named
for Beta Canis Majoris. Beta Cephei variables do not have wide
ranges in magnitude, nor do they have periods longer than a few
hours. Beta Cephei itself varies 0.1 magnitudes every 4.6 hours. Its
traditional name means "flock" and refers to a flock of sheep.
Gamma Cephei, traditionally called Errai, is an orange-hued star
of magnitude 3.2, 45 light-years from Earth. Its traditional name
means "the shepherd".[1] It is a binary star approximately 50 light
years away from Earth. The system consists of an orange subgiant
and a red dwarf. Due to the precession of the equinoxes, γ Cephei
will be the pole star between AD 3000 and 5200, with the closest
approach to the celestial pole around AD 4000. The primary
component is orbited by a planet.[citation needed]
δ Cephei is the prototype Cepheid variable, a yellow-hued
supergiant star 980 light-years from Earth. It was discovered to be variable by John Goodricke in 1784. It varies
between 3.5m and 4.4m over a period of 5 days and 9 hours. The Cepheids are a class of pulsating variable stars;
Delta Cephei has a minimum size of 40 solar diameters and a maximum size of 46 solar diameters. It is also a double
star; the yellow star also has a wide-set blue-hued companion of magnitude 6.3.[1]
There are several other prominent variable stars in Cepheus. One, μ Cephei, is also known as Herschel's Garnet Star
due to its deep red colour. It is a semiregular variable star with a minimum magnitude of 5.1 and a maximum
magnitude of 3.4. Its period is approximately 2 years.[1] The star is around 11.8 AU in radius. If it were placed at the
centre of our Solar System, it would extend to the orbit of Saturn.[citation needed] Another, VV Cephei, like Mu
Cephei, is a red supergiant and a semiregular variable star, located at least 2000 light-years from Earth. It has a
minimum magnitude of 5.4 and a maximum magnitude of 4.8. One of the largest stars in the galaxy, it has a diameter
of over 1000 solar diameters. VV Cephei is also an unusually long-period eclipsing binary, but the eclipses, which
occur every 20.3 years, are too faint to be observed with the unaided eye. T Cephei, also a red giant, is a Mira
variable with a minimum magnitude of 11.3 and a maximum magnitude of 5.2, 685 light-years from Earth. It has a
period of 13 months and a diameter of 500 solar diameters.[1]
Cepheus (constellation)
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There are several prominent double stars and binary stars in Cepheus. Omicron Cephei is a binary star with a period
of 800 years. The system, 211 light-years from Earth, consists of an orange-hued giant primary of magnitude 4.9 and
a secondary of magnitude 7.1. Xi Cephei is another binary star, 102 light-years from Earth, with a period of 4000
years. It has a blue-white primary of magnitude 4.4 and a yellow secondary of magnitude 6.5.[1]
Kruger 60 is an 11th magnitude binary star consisting of two red dwarfs. The star system is one of the nearest, being
only 13 light years away from Earth.[citation needed]
Deep-sky objects
• NGC 188 is an open cluster that has the distinction of being the
closest open cluster to the north celestial pole, as well as one of the
oldest known open clusters.
• The Fireworks Galaxy (NGC 6946) is a spiral galaxy in which nine
supernovae have been observed, more than in any other galaxy.
• IC 469 is another spiral galaxy, characterized by a compact nucleus,
of oval shape, with perceptible side arms.
• The nebula NGC 7538 is home to the largest yet discovered
protostar.
• NGC 7023 is a reflection nebula with an associated star cluster
(Collinder 429); it has an overall magnitude of 7.7 and is 1400
light-years from Earth. The nebula and cluster are located near Beta
Cephei and T Cephei.[3]
Visualizations
NGC 7354 is a planetary nebula located in the
[2]
constellation Cepheus.
Cepheus (constellation)
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Cepheus is most commonly depicted as holding his arms aloft,
praying for the gods to spare the life of Andromeda. He is also
depicted as a more regal monarch sitting on his throne.[]
Equivalents
In Chinese astronomy, the stars of the constellation Cepheus are
found in two areas: the Purple Forbidden enclosure (紫 微 垣,
Zǐ Wēi Yuán) and the Black Tortoise of the North (北 方 玄
武, Běi Fāng Xuán Wǔ).
In popular culture
• In the TV sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, the aliens' home
planet is stated to be located in a barred spiral galaxy on the
Cepheus-Draco border.
• The performer Deadmau5 named his song, "HR 8938
Cephei" after a star in the constellation.
[4]
Cepheus as depicted in Urania's Mirror , a set of
constellation cards published in London c.1825.
Namesakes
USS Cepheus (AKA-18) and USS Cepheus (AK-265), United
States navy ships.
References
[1] Ridpath & Tirion 2001, pp. 112-113.
[3] Levy 2005, p. 107.
[4] http:/ / www. ianridpath. com/ atlases/ urania. htm
• Levy, David H. (2005). Deep Sky Objects. Prometheus Books. ISBN 1-59102-361-0.
• Ridpath, Ian; Tirion, Wil (2001), Stars and Planets Guide, Princeton University Press, ISBN 0-691-08913-2
• Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0-00-725120-9.
Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0-691-13556-4.
• Staal, Julius D.W. (1988), The New Patterns in the Sky: Myths and Legends of the Stars (2nd ed.), The McDonald
and Woodward Publishing Company, ISBN 0-939923-04-1
External links
• The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Cepheus (http://www.allthesky.com/constellations/
cepheus/)
• Star Tales – Cepheus (http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/cepheus.htm)
Coordinates:
22h 00m 00s, +70° 00′ 00″ (http:/ / www. wikisky. org/ ?ra=22& de=70& zoom=2& show_grid=1&
show_constellation_lines=1& show_constellation_boundaries=1& show_const_names=1& show_galaxies=1&
img_source=IMG_all)
Article Sources and Contributors
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Cepheus (constellation) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=555398417 Contributors: -Ril-, Acroterion, Adrian.benko, Ahoerstemeier, Alansohn, Alvin-cs, Angela, Arniep,
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Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
File:Cepheus IAU.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Cepheus_IAU.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Contributors: Antonsusi, Hogg 22, Kxx
Image:CepheusCC.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:CepheusCC.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Till Credner
File:Smoky Shells.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Smoky_Shells.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Jmencisom
Image:Cepheusurania.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Cepheusurania.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Urania's Muse
File:Celestia.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Celestia.png License: GNU General Public License Contributors: 555, Bourrichon, Cody escadron delta,
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