Constellation of Cetus
author: A.Fujii/David Malin Images/Novapix
reference: a-cst05-00004
Image Size 300 DPI: 40 * 51 cm
Cetus (the Whale or Sea Monster) is an ancient constellation in the northern sky depicting a whale-like creature basking on the shores of the fabled stream Eridanus, which flows from the celestial equator far into the southern sky. Cetus is extensive but not very distinctive, containing few bright stars. However, some of the stars are exceptionally interesting, particlarly Mira the wonderful, the prototype variable star, whose variability was first noted 400 years ago. The constellation of Aries is visible at the top of the image.