The month of May is a fine time for flowers and colors – and even getting married! There once was an old tradition where children took ribbons and ‘danced around the Maypole’ in circles, weaving patterns around a central focal point. Before the month is over, why not celebrate the flowers and the dance of the stars around the northern pole as well? Let’s take another look at a constellation that’s becoming very visible at this time of year as we visit “Kings and Queens and Royal Things”…
However, Cassiopeia was far too proud of her daughter and she boasted once too often on her good looks – proclaiming her to be even more beautiful than Zeus’ wife, Hera. This did not sit well with the Queen of the gods, so she demanded that Andromeda be sacrificed to Cetus, the Sea Monster – or marry her monster son, Calibos.
In order to save her daughter, Cassiopeia called upon one of Zeus’ mortal sons, Perseus to save her… But first Perseus had to win his winged horse, Pegasus, and defeat the Medusa. In order to gain his opportunity, Perseus had to answer a riddle. What is joined together but has no end?”
So go out, before the Moon captures the sky in the nights to come and hides the faint stars. Are there any iris in bloom where you are? Can you find the Royal House of Cepheus? Watch as the night moves and see how it turns around the pole star, just like children dancing around a maypole. Did you know that for each night that passes, our sky progress by six minutes? For example, when you locate Cepheus, make note of the time you first spotted it and its position. Now, look again an hour later. This is where you will find Cepheus 10 days from now at the time you first located it! Check Cepheus’ position 3 hours later and this is where it will appear a month from now at your initial time.
Isn’t SkyWatching wonderful?!
Many thanks to Torsten Bronger for the Cepheus constellation map, Uranometria historical Cepheus image, the “Iris Nebula” courtesy of Kent Wood, the “Garnet Star” courtesy of Francesco Malafarina, Cassiopeia courtesy of the University of Florida, M31 courtesy of Bill Schoening, Vanessa Harvey/REU program/NOAO/AURA/NSF and the “Double Cluster” courtesy of N.A.Sharp/NOAO/AURA/NSF. We thank you!
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