Mythology
The Queen of Vanity
Cassiopeia was the proud queen of ancient Ethiopia and mother to Andromeda. Known for her beauty, her downfall came from the belief that she—and her daughter—were more beautiful than even the sea nymphs, the Nereids.
Her arrogance angered Poseidon, god of the sea, who sent a sea monster to punish the kingdom. To calm the gods, Andromeda was chained to a rock as a sacrifice. Though her daughter was saved by Perseus, Cassiopeia was not spared divine punishment.
As a final lesson in humility, the gods placed Cassiopeia among the stars—but upside down. Her celestial form now spins through the sky in a seated position, forever circling the North Star, at times appearing as if she’s tumbling headfirst.
Celestial Facts
Queen of the Northern Sky
Easily recognized by its distinct “W” or “M” shape depending on the season.
One of the 88 modern constellations, and is visible year-round in the Northern Hemisphere.
Contains several open star clusters, including Messier 52 and NGC 457 (sometimes called the “Owl Cluster”).
It’s close to the North Star, making it a helpful guide in navigating the night sky.
Cassiopeia is part of the Perseus family of constellations, along with her daughter, Andromeda.
Tips!
To locate Cassiopeia, look for a large “W” shape made of five bright stars—especially easy to spot in fall and winter.
Try using a stargazing app to spot nearby constellations—Cassiopeia often sits opposite the Big Dipper in the sky.
Use Cassiopeia to find Polaris (the North Star): draw an imaginary line from the “outer” points of the W, and it’ll guide you toward the Little Dipper.