Cepheus constellation

Cepheus is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the king. It is highest in the sky at midnight around August 24, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 90°N to 12°S.

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Cepheus at a glance

Represents
the king
Highest at midnight
August 24
Highest at 9 pm
October 8
Seen whole from
90°N to 12°S
Stars in the figure
5 stars
Origin
Ptolemy's list, 2nd century

When to see Cepheus

Cepheus is highest in the sky at midnight around August 24 and at 9 pm around October 8. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.

The times are local solar time. Clocks on daylight saving time read about one hour later.

When Cepheus is highest each month
DateHighest at
January 152:30 p.m.
February 1512:30 p.m.
March 1510:40 a.m.
April 158:40 a.m.
May 156:40 a.m.
June 154:40 a.m.
July 152:40 a.m.
August 1512:40 a.m.
September 1510:30 p.m.
October 158:30 p.m.
November 156:30 p.m.
December 154:30 p.m.

Where to look for Cepheus

From the northern hemisphere

From 40°N, Cepheus never sets. It circles the pole and is highest around midnight on August 24, 62° above the northern horizon.

From the southern hemisphere

From 35°S, Cepheus never rises. You need to be north of 32°S to see any of it.

Brightest stars in Cepheus

None of the stars of Cepheus is brighter than magnitude 2.3, so it is best seen from a dark place away from city lights. Its brightest stick-figure stars are about magnitude 2.

Cepheus in myth and history

In Greek myth, Cepheus was the king of Aethiopia, the husband of Cassiopeia and the father of Andromeda.

Cepheus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.

Constellations next to Cepheus

Find Cepheus in your sky

Questions about Cepheus