Sabtu, 03 Januari 2009

:: The Cassiopeia ::


Cassiopeia. One of many constellation star in the sky. Five stars formed a wonderful constellation. The Five stars make a form like “w” shape. Really, it’s a wonderful constellation. To make you know more than your knowledge check this out.

Mean: 
Cassiopeia (pronounced /ˌkæsiːəˈpiːə/, colloquially /ˌkæsiˈoʊpiə/) is a constellation in the northern sky. In Greek mythology it was considered to represent the vain queen Cassiopeia, who boasted about her unrivaled beauty. It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 1st century Greek astronomer Ptolomey, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations today. Cassiopeia is easily recognizable due to its distinctive 'W' shape formed by five bright stars.

About Cassiopeia:

Abbreviation: Cas 
Genitive: Cassiopeiae 
Symbolism: the Seated Queen 
Right ascension: 1 h 
Declination: +60° 
Area: 598 sq. deg. (25th) 
Main stars: 5 
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars: 53 
Stars with
known planets: 1 
Bright stars: 5 
Nearby stars: 3 
Brightest star: α Cas (Schedar) (2.23m) 
Nearest star: η Cas (Achird) (19.4 ly) 
Messier objects: 2 
Meteor showers: Perseids 
Bordering
constellations: Camelopardalis
  Cepheus
  Lacerta
  Andromeda
  Perseus




There is a Myth too about the Cassiopeia.



Cassiopeia, the mother of Andromeda and wife of King Cepheus of Ethiopia, thought she and her daughter were the two fairest that ever lived. In fact, she foolishly claimed that Andromeda was so beautiful that even the sea nymphs (Nereids) could not surpass her beauty. Hera, Zeus' jealous wife, and the Nereids themselves, overheard this. Furious at Cassiopeia's boasting, they visited Poseidon (the sea god) and demanded an immediate punishment. 

Poseidon sent the sea monster Tiamat (represented by Cetus) to attack King Cepheus' realm. With his kingdom in the gravest danger, Cepheus consulted an oracle for advice. He learned the only way to save Ethiopia involved the sacrifice of Andromeda to the raging sea monster. Heavy hearted and bitter over his wife's vanity, the king was forced by his people to comply. Poor Andromeda was dragged to a ragged part of the coast and was told of her fate. 

She was stripped naked and chained to a large rock to await her grisly fate. The monster soon arrived. Tiamat was about to eat her, when the monster felt a sharp pain in his back. He turned and found Perseus flying with winged sandals and attacking him. The monster grew stronger as they fought. Then Perseus remembered that he was carrying Medusa's head. All who looked at it would turn to stone. He dropped his sword and took out the creepy object. The sea monster stared at it and turned immediately into stone. Andromeda watched the whole incident (except Medusa's head), and smiled with a sigh of relief. 

Perseus fell in love with the beautiful Andromeda and carried her home to marry her. The gods made constellations for each of them, but felt Cassiopeia had gotten off too easy. They punished her by condemning her to circle Polaris forever in her throne. So even now, she alternately sits right side up and hangs upside down in the heavens. Of course, in Hawaii, Cassiopeia sets. 

That’s all for this chance. See ya at a new session. Annyeong~

1 komentar: