Cassiopeia - Constellation, which is located in the northern hemisphere of our sky.Interestingly, only a part of it belongs to the stars the Milky Way galaxy.
first observations and legends
modern name of this cluster of stars has been given to the ancient Greeks.The ancients believed that this is the Rapture Ethiopian king Cepheus wife and mother of Andromeda Cassiopeia.Constellation seemed the epitome of Greek residents of its beauty and incredible boasting, for which she was placed on the sky.According to legend, the queen once boasted that she and her daughter was more beautiful than the Nereids.Nereid complained to Poseidon at such insolence, after which he sent down to Ethiopia, a sea monster that devours people and flooding in the appendage.Apollodorus wrote that the oracle told Kefeyu path to salvation.The latter was to sacrifice his own daughter, monster beauty, Andromeda.Cassiopeia opposed this decision, but the people of Ethiopia forced the royal family to go for it for the sake of all residents.Andromeda was given to be devoured by the monster as a ransom sacrifice.She was chained naked to the foot of the cliff by the sea.At this point, Perseus flew over the country on his winged horse Pegasus.He rescued the girl, beheaded the monster and took her as his wife.However, she has previously been promised in marriage to Fineyu, who was the brother of Kefeyu.The result was the battle between supporters of Phineus and Perseus, as a result of which many opponents were killed on both sides.Subsequently, all the actors of this legend have found their place in the starry sky
first scientific observations
serious study of the cluster began in modern times.For example, in 1572 the famous Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe was noticed the sudden appearance of a new star.This star in the constellation Cassiopeia, first shone very brightly.However, during the sixteen months of its light is waning, while not disappeared.In times of Danish astronomer, this phenomenon was not known, but he watched the flash of a supernova that formed as a result of the explosion.By the way, to this day the explosion in the cluster is the last supernova in the Milky Way, which had to watch the man.
Details constellation
The cluster has 76 stars visible to the naked eye.Constellation Cassiopeia (right) is an asterism, which is called «W - asterism," because five of the brightest stars in the cluster creates a shape resembling the letters.Each of the stars of this asterism has its own name: Navi, Schedar, Kaf, Rukbah, Seguin.Watch Cassiopeia possible all year, but the most opportune time for this in September, October and November, when it is seen most clearly.Cassiopeia - Constellation, also located in close surroundings of other clusters: Giraffe, Cepheus, Lizards, Andromeda, Perseus.But, despite this, I find it quite simple: it needs to carry out mentally straight line from the brightest stars of the Big Dipper through the North Star.The continuation of this line and become Cassiopeia.Constellation clearly seen in Russia.
