IAU Chart
NOIRLab Images
Stellarium Images
Stars and Sticks| Abbreviation | Per |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Perseus |
| Pronunciation Guide is based on “Pronouncing Astronomical Names,” published in 1943 by the American Astronomical Society. | PER-see-us |
| Genitive The genitive is the Latin possessive form used in star names. For example, Alpha Orionis means “the Alpha of Orion.” | PAIR-see-eye |
| Best Month | December |
| 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 | Easy |
| Description | The hero Perseus flies through the Perseus arm of the Milky Way in one of the richest regions of the night sky for star clusters. Returning from slaying Medusa, he spotted Andromeda chained to rocks below and dove to rescue her, slaying the sea monster Cetus. The 'blinking' star Algol marks Medusa's eye — an eclipsing binary that dims by over a magnitude every 2.87 days as its fainter companion passes in front of it; ancient Arab astronomers called it 'the demon star' for its unsettling wink. Perseus contains two spectacular showpiece clusters — the Double Cluster (NGC 869 and NGC 884), two young open clusters just 7,000 light-years away and an extraordinary sight in binoculars. |
| Meteor Shower | Perseids |
| Peak Month | August |
Click a thumbnail to view full-size. Plain and Annotated versions available on the image page.
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 →
