It was discovered by Fabricius in 1596 and varies from the ninth magnitude to the third or fourth in a period of 334 days. It can be observed during its entire range with a 3" glass.
In 1779 Mira is reported to have been as bright as the first-magnitude star Aldebaran. It lies almost exactly on a line joining γ and ζ Ceti a little nearer the former. Ten degrees south of it are four faint stars about 3° apart forming a square.
τ Ceti is one of our nearest neighbors at a distance of nine light years.
MUSCA (mus´-kä)—THE FLY. (Face Southeast.)
Location.—Musca lies between Triangulum and Aries, the diagram clearly defining its position.
The four stars composing it form a group shaped like the letter "Y."