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.
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.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| January 15 | 2:30 PM |
| February 15 | 12:30 PM |
| March 15 | 10:40 AM |
| April 15 | 8:40 AM |
| May 15 | 6:40 AM |
| June 15 | 4:40 AM |
| July 15 | 2:40 AM |
| August 15 | 12:40 AM |
| September 15 | 10:30 PM |
| October 15 | 8:30 PM |
| November 15 | 6:30 PM |
| December 15 | 4:30 PM |
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
Cepheus is highest in the sky at midnight around August 24 and at 9 pm around October 8. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Cepheus rises above the horizon from 90°N to 12°S, and at least part of it rises from 90°N to 32°S.
Cepheus represents the king. Cepheus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.