Cepheus (constellation) 1

Cepheus (constellation)

Cepheus

Constellation

List of stars in CepheusAbbreviation 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/Flamsteedstars

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

Borderingconstellations

CygnusLacertaCassiopeiaCamelopardalisDracoUrsa Minor

Visible at latitudes between +90° and −10°.Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of November.

Cepheus (constellation) 2

Cepheus is a constellation in the northern sky. It is named after Cepheus, King of Aethiopia in Greek mythology. Itwas one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and remains one of the 88 modernconstellations.

History and mythologyCepheus was the King of Aethiopia. He was married to Cassiopeia and was the father of Andromeda, both of whomare immortalized as modern day constellations along with Cepheus.[]

Notable features

The constellation Cepheus as it can be seen by thenaked eye.

Stars

Alpha Cephei, traditionally called "Alderamin", is a white huedstar of magnitude 2.5, 49 light-years from Earth. Beta Cephei,traditionally called "Alfirk", is a double star with a blue-hued giantprimary of magnitude 3.2 and a secondary of magnitude 7.9. Theprimary is a variable star considered to be the prototype of itssubclass of pulsating variable stars, which are sometimes namedfor Beta Canis Majoris. Beta Cephei variables do not have wideranges in magnitude, nor do they have periods longer than a fewhours. Beta Cephei itself varies 0.1 magnitudes every 4.6 hours. Itstraditional name means "flock" and refers to a flock of sheep.Gamma Cephei, traditionally called Errai, is an orange-hued starof magnitude 3.2, 45 light-years from Earth. Its traditional namemeans "the shepherd".[1] It is a binary star approximately 50 lightyears away from Earth. The system consists of an orange subgiantand a red dwarf. Due to the precession of the equinoxes, γ Cepheiwill be the pole star between AD 3000 and 5200, with the closestapproach to the celestial pole around AD 4000. The primarycomponent is orbited by a planet.[citation needed]

δ Cephei is the prototype Cepheid variable, a yellow-huedsupergiant star 980 light-years from Earth. It was discovered to be variable by John Goodricke in 1784. It variesbetween 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 doublestar; 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 Stardue to its deep red colour. It is a semiregular variable star with a minimum magnitude of 5.1 and a maximummagnitude of 3.4. Its period is approximately 2 years.[1] The star is around 11.8 AU in radius. If it were placed at thecentre of our Solar System, it would extend to the orbit of Saturn.[citation needed] Another, VV Cephei, like MuCephei, is a red supergiant and a semiregular variable star, located at least 2000 light-years from Earth. It has aminimum magnitude of 5.4 and a maximum magnitude of 4.8. One of the largest stars in the galaxy, it has a diameterof over 1000 solar diameters. VV Cephei is also an unusually long-period eclipsing binary, but the eclipses, whichoccur every 20.3 years, are too faint to be observed with the unaided eye. T Cephei, also a red giant, is a Miravariable with a minimum magnitude of 11.3 and a maximum magnitude of 5.2, 685 light-years from Earth. It has aperiod of 13 months and a diameter of 500 solar diameters.[1]

Cepheus (constellation) 3

There are several prominent double stars and binary stars in Cepheus. Omicron Cephei is a binary star with a periodof 800 years. The system, 211 light-years from Earth, consists of an orange-hued giant primary of magnitude 4.9 anda secondary of magnitude 7.1. Xi Cephei is another binary star, 102 light-years from Earth, with a period of 4000years. 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, beingonly 13 light years away from Earth.[citation needed]

Deep-sky objects

NGC 7354 is a planetary nebula located in theconstellation Cepheus.[2]

• NGC 188 is an open cluster that has the distinction of being theclosest open cluster to the north celestial pole, as well as one of theoldest known open clusters.

• The Fireworks Galaxy (NGC 6946) is a spiral galaxy in which ninesupernovae 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 discoveredprotostar.

• NGC 7023 is a reflection nebula with an associated star cluster(Collinder 429); it has an overall magnitude of 7.7 and is 1400light-years from Earth. The nebula and cluster are located near BetaCephei and T Cephei.[3]

Visualizations

Cepheus (constellation) 4

Cepheus as depicted in Urania's Mirror [4], a set ofconstellation cards published in London c.1825.

Cepheus is most commonly depicted as holding his arms aloft,praying for the gods to spare the life of Andromeda. He is alsodepicted as a more regal monarch sitting on his throne.[]

Equivalents

In Chinese astronomy, the stars of the constellation Cepheus arefound 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' homeplanet is stated to be located in a barred spiral galaxy on theCepheus-Draco border.

• The performer Deadmau5 named his song, "HR 8938Cephei" after a star in the constellation.

Namesakes

USS Cepheus (AKA-18) and USS Cepheus (AK-265), UnitedStates navy ships.

References[1] Ridpath & Tirion 2001, pp. 112-113.[3][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 5

Article Sources and ContributorsCepheus (constellation)  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=555398417  Contributors: -Ril-, Acroterion, Adrian.benko, Ahoerstemeier, Alansohn, Alvin-cs, Angela, Arniep,Arsia Mons, Attys, B.d.mills, BW95, Bazonka, Bronger, Bryan Derksen, Burga, Burnside65, Caid Raspa, Caltas, Carmichael, Christopher1968, Corpx, Cosmium, Curps, DARTH SIDIOUS 2,Darsie, Deflective, DenisMoskowitz, El C, EnSamulili, Epbr123, Eroica, EugeneZelenko, Evil-mer0dach, Fayenatic london, Friendlystar, Friginator, Fuhghettaboutit, Gee Eight, Gilliam,Hede2000, Hu12, Hunnjazal, Hut 8.5, Icairns, Ilvon, Iwfi, JYolkowski, Jakejack, Jmencisom, John K, Joseph Dwayne, Jpkubalak, Jusdafax, Jyril, Keahapana, Keilana, Kf4ypd, Kimjae20,Kwamikagami, Kylu, Lamborghini LP670, Limozine, Lorenzarius, Lugia2453, Maurice Carbonaro, Mega-buses, Mike Peel, Modeha, Moverton, Mschlindwein, Novangelis, Obiwan042,Ohnoitsjamie, Oreo Priest, Orion11M87, Petersam, Phe, PlanetStar, Poolkris, Ptomato, Quantumobserver, QueenCake, Quintote, RJHall, Reach Out to the Truth, Rothorpe, Rtkat3, Rursus,Rwalker, RyanCross, Sadalsuud, Santalovesme, Shawn81, Sietse Snel, Skeptic2, Stan Shebs, StringTheory11, Telescopi, TexasAndroid, Thaisk, The Thing That Should Not Be, TheAMmollusc,Thor Dockweiler, Till Credner, Uncle Dick, Urania's Muse, Verdi1, Vgent, Vssun, Wanderingstan, Wavelength, WikHead, Wikiborg, Wildthing61476, Wmahan, XJaM, Yjfstorehouse, ZaphodBeeblebrox, Zoicon5, 190 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile: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, KxxImage:CepheusCC.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:CepheusCC.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: User:Till CrednerFile:Smoky Shells.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Smoky_Shells.jpg  License: Public domain  Contributors: JmencisomImage:Cepheusurania.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Cepheusurania.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Urania's MuseFile: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,ComputerHotline, CyberSkull, Czeror, Gildemax, Go for it!, Nnemo, Rocket000, Rursus, Tony Wills, XBrain130

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