Cetus constellation
Cetus is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the sea monster. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 25 October, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 72°N to 80°S.
Cetus at a glance
- Represents
- the sea monster
- Highest at midnight
- 25 October
- Highest at 9 pm
- 8 December
- Seen whole from
- 72°N to 80°S
- Brightest star
- Diphda
- Stars in the figure
- 19 stars
- Origin
- Ptolemy's list, 2nd century
When to see Cetus
Cetus is highest in the sky at midnight around 25 October and at 9 pm around 8 December. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on summer time or daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| 15 January | 6:30 PM |
| 15 February | 4:30 PM |
| 15 March | 2:40 PM |
| 15 April | 12:40 PM |
| 15 May | 10:40 AM |
| 15 June | 8:40 AM |
| 15 July | 6:40 AM |
| 15 August | 4:40 AM |
| 15 September | 2:40 AM |
| 15 October | 12:40 AM |
| 15 November | 10:30 PM |
| 15 December | 8:30 PM |
Where to look for Cetus
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Cetus rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 25 October, 46° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Cetus rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 25 October, 59° above the northern horizon.
Brightest stars in Cetus
| Star | Magnitude |
|---|---|
| Diphda | 2.04 |
Cetus in myth and history
In Greek myth, Cetus was the sea monster that Poseidon sent to destroy the coast of Aethiopia. Perseus killed it to save Andromeda.
Cetus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Constellations next to Cetus
Find Cetus in your sky
Questions about Cetus
Cetus is highest in the sky at midnight around 25 October and at 9 pm around 8 December. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Cetus rises above the horizon from 72°N to 80°S, and at least part of it rises everywhere on Earth.
Diphda is the brightest star in Cetus, at magnitude 2.04.
Cetus represents the sea monster. Cetus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.