Observing Calendars

November Observing Calendar   November brings the fall constellations to good visibility. Pegasus, the Winged Horse, rides high in the southeast. Find Alpheratz, the bright star on the eastern corner of the Great Square of Pegasus. Follow the leg of Andromeda, the Chained Maiden, pointing toward the eastern horizon as well. Stop for a moment and admire the Andromeda Galaxy (see October Calendar). Cassiopeia, the Queen, is high and to the north of Andromeda. It's easily recognized "W" formation is tilted on edge to the horizon. Cetus, the Whale, rides low below Algenib in the Great Square. To the north of Cassiopiea is Cepheus, the King. Perseus, the Hero, is standing guard below Cassiopiea with Andromeda's feet resting on her rescuer. The night sky is full of wonderful mythological figures and stories told in ancient Mesopotamia, China, and India. This part of the sky illustrates the richness of these stories as excerpted from "The New Patterns in the Sky" by Julius D.W. Staal. "...Andromeda was the daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopiea of Ethiopia. Cassiopea was very beautiful, but proud and boastful. One day she boasted that she was fairer than the Nereids, the water nymphs, who were renowned for their exquisite beauty. They complained to their father, Poseidon, the God of the Seas. Infuriated, Poseidon created a sea monster called Cetus. Cetus prowled the coast of Ethiopia devouring King Cepheus's people and their herds. In despair, the King consulted the oracle Ammon to rid his country of the menace. Ammon advised that his only remedy was to sacrifice his daughter to the monster. Andromeda was lead to the water's edge and chained to a rock awaiting the arrival of Cetus. Perseus, mounted on the winged horse Pegasus, was returning home when he saw Andromeda being chained to the rock. Smitten by her beauty, Perseus offered to rescue Andromeda if the King would allow him to marry her. The King agreed with great relief and joy at saving both his kingdom and his lovely daughter. When Cetus came for Andromeda, Perseus leaped from the rock and showed the head of Medusa to Cetus. Upon seeing the ugly head of Medusa, Cetus instantly turned to stone and Andromeda was saved..." About halfway between the horizon and the Great Square is an easily spotted open cluster called the Pleiades (M45), sometimes referred to as the Seven Sisters since seven bright stars are easily visible in the cluster. (The automaker Suburu uses this celestial object as its emblem. Suburu can be translated as Seven Sisters in Japanese.)