Perseus constellation
Perseus is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the hero Perseus. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 13 November, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 90°N to 34°S.
Perseus at a glance
- Represents
- the hero Perseus
- Highest at midnight
- 13 November
- Highest at 9 pm
- 28 December
- Seen whole from
- 90°N to 34°S
- Brightest star
- Mirfak
- Stars in the figure
- 11 stars
- Origin
- Ptolemy's list, 2nd century
When to see Perseus
Perseus is highest in the sky at midnight around 13 November and at 9 pm around 28 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 | 7:50 pm |
| 15 February | 5:50 pm |
| 15 March | 4:00 pm |
| 15 April | 1:50 pm |
| 15 May | 12:00 pm |
| 15 June | 9:50 am |
| 15 July | 8:00 am |
| 15 August | 5:50 am |
| 15 September | 3:50 am |
| 15 October | 1:50 am |
| 15 November | 11:50 pm |
| 15 December | 9:50 pm |
Where to look for Perseus
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Perseus rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 13 November, almost overhead.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, only part of Perseus rises. Its centre is highest around midnight on 13 November, 12° above the northern horizon.
Brightest stars in Perseus
Meteor showers from Perseus
The meteors of these showers seem to come from a point in Perseus, called the radiant.
| Shower | Peak | Zenithal hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Perseids | Around 13 August | 100 |
Perseus in myth and history
In Greek myth, Perseus was the hero who cut off the head of the Gorgon Medusa and saved Andromeda from the sea monster Cetus. The star Algol marks the head of Medusa that he carries.
Perseus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Constellations next to Perseus
Find Perseus in your sky
Questions about Perseus
Perseus is highest in the sky at midnight around 13 November and at 9 pm around 28 December. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Perseus rises above the horizon from 90°N to 34°S, and at least part of it rises from 90°N to 58°S.
Mirfak is the brightest star in Perseus, at magnitude 1.79.
Perseus represents the hero Perseus. Perseus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.