THE CONSTELLATIONS OF AUTUMN.
CASSIOPEIA (kas-i-ō-pē´-ya)—THE LADY IN THE CHAIR. (Face North.)
Location.—A line drawn from δ Ursæ Majoris, through Polaris, strikes α Cassiopeiæ. It is situated the same distance from Polaris as Ursa Major, and about midway between Polaris and the zenith in the Milky Way. Cassiopeia is characterized by a zigzag row of stars which form a rude "W," but in mid-autumn, to an observer facing north, the "W" appears more like an "M," and is almost overhead. Note the spot marked 1572. This is where a very famous temporary star appeared in that year. It was bright enough at one time to be seen in full sunshine. The star η is sixteen light years distant.