Cetus facts for kids
| Constellation | |
List of stars in Cetus
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| Abbreviation | Cet |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Ceti |
| Pronunciation | genitive |
| Symbolism | the Whale, Shark, or Sea Monster |
| Right ascension | 00h 26m 22.2486s–03h 23m 47.1487s |
| Declination | 10.5143948°–-24.8725095° |
| Area | 1231 sq. deg. (4th) |
| Main stars | 14 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars |
88 |
| Stars with planets | 23 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 2 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 9 |
| Brightest star | β Cet (Deneb Kaitos)† (2.04m) |
| Messier objects | 1 |
| Meteor showers | October Cetids Eta Cetids Omicron Cetids |
| Bordering constellations |
Aries Pisces Aquarius Sculptor Fornax Eridanus Taurus |
| Visible at latitudes between +70° and −90°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of November. Note: †Mira (ο Cet) is magnitude 2.0 at its brightest. |
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Cetus is a large constellation found in the northern sky. It is often called the "Whale" or "Sea Monster" constellation. This name comes from ancient stories about a huge creature in the ocean.
Cetus is one of the biggest constellations you can see. It covers a large area of the night sky. You can usually spot it best during the month of November.
Contents
Discovering the Cetus Constellation
Cetus is an ancient constellation. It was first listed by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century. People have been looking at and naming stars for thousands of years.
What Does Cetus Represent?
The name "Cetus" comes from a Greek word meaning "large fish" or "sea monster." In Greek myths, Cetus was a monster sent to attack the kingdom of Aethiopia. This was a punishment from the sea god Poseidon. The hero Perseus saved the princess Andromeda from Cetus.
Stars and Objects in Cetus
Cetus has many interesting stars and deep-sky objects. These are things like galaxies that are far away.
The Brightest Stars of Cetus
The brightest star in Cetus is called Deneb Kaitos. Its scientific name is Beta Ceti (β Cet). It is a giant star that shines with a bright orange color.
Mira: The Amazing Variable Star
Another very famous star in Cetus is Mira. Its full name is Omicron Ceti (ο Cet). Mira is special because it is a variable star. This means its brightness changes over time.
- Mira gets much brighter and then fades again. This cycle takes about 11 months.
- Sometimes, Mira is one of the brightest stars in the sky. Other times, it is so dim you can't see it without a telescope.
- Mira is a red giant star. It is very old and has grown huge.
Messier 77: A Spiral Galaxy
Cetus is also home to a beautiful spiral galaxy called Messier 77 (M77). This galaxy is very far away from Earth. It looks like a swirling pinwheel of stars, gas, and dust.
- M77 is an active galaxy. This means it has a very bright center.
- Scientists study M77 to learn more about how galaxies form and change.
Observing Cetus
Cetus can be seen from many parts of the world. It is best viewed in the autumn and early winter in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it appears higher in the sky during spring.
- You don't need a telescope to see the main shape of Cetus.
- A pair of binoculars or a small telescope will help you see dimmer stars and objects like Messier 77.
Images for kids
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Cetus annotated with lines (a "stick figure") from a latitude further north (north of its declination), above a horizon, in conditions ideal for observation.
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Messier 77 spiral galaxy - HST (Hubble Space Telescope).
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Cetus dominates this card from Urania's Mirror (1825) as if looking up towards the celestial sphere (east is left of frame). Uses the modern custom: celestial maps to be held skywards while facing south.
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An alike depiction from Celestial Atlas (A. Jamieson) (1822)
See also
In Spanish: Cetus para niños
