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Stars and Sticks| Abbreviation | Cas |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Queen of Ethiopia |
| Pronunciation Guide is based on “Pronouncing Astronomical Names,” published in 1943 by the American Astronomical Society. | CASS-ee-oh-PEE-yuh |
| Genitive The genitive is the Latin possessive form used in star names. For example, Alpha Orionis means “the Alpha of Orion.” | kas-ee-oh-PEE-yee |
| Best Month | November |
| Visibility | Northern |
| Origin | AncientThese figures are rooted in the classical Greek and Mesopotamian traditions cataloged by Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. |
| Author | PtolemyPtolemy, a 2nd-century Greco-Egyptian astronomer, cataloged the 48 classical constellations in his landmark work, the Almagest. These form the core of the 88 modern constellations recognized today. |
| Type | constellation |
| Difficulty | Easiest |
| Description | The vain Queen of Ethiopia sits on her throne in the northern sky, forever spinning around the celestial pole — sometimes right-side up, sometimes upside down — as punishment from Poseidon for boasting she was more beautiful than the sea nymphs. The constellation is instantly recognizable as a bright 'W' or 'M' shape and serves as an excellent guide for finding Polaris. In 1572, Tycho Brahe observed a brilliant supernova in Cassiopeia so bright it was visible in daylight for weeks, shattering the ancient belief that the heavens were unchanging. The remnant of that explosion, Cassiopeia A, is now one of the strongest radio sources in the entire sky. |
| Asterism | The W: Five stars arranged in a distinct W or M shape. |
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Monthly sky charts courtesy of What's Out Tonight? — Copyright ©2026 Ken Graun. Star charts are optimized for mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Click a chart to view or download the PDF. For guidance on using the chart, or to purchase a planisphere and astronomy books, visit kenpress.com.
Images: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/E. Slawik · IAU and Sky & Telescope · Stellarium — Full credits →
