Cepheus and Cassiopeia, King and Queen

Today, let’s learn to find some constellations. Cepheus, the Crowned King is close to Cassiopeia, the Enthroned Woman. Cepheus is not as bright as Cassiopeia (which you can easily find as a W), but on a clear night you can find him near Cassiopeia. To find Cepheus, continue the line made by the pointer stars of the Big Dipper through Polaris, the North Pole, to the peak of Cepheus.

Cepheus is shaped like a house, with a pointed roof. He looks like a child’s drawing of a house. He is located partly in the milky way.

The five visible (on a clear night) constellations near the Pole star are the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, and Draco. Draco is located between the Big Dipper and Hercules. The most obvious stars of Draco are in the head which is located right at Hercules’ foot. Hercules appears to be stepping on the head of Draco.