No matter whether you’re an amateur astronomer, student, or person with a curious mind, you may be wondering which constellations may be visible and bright come October?
Continue reading to discover more about which constellations are visible in October, how these constellations may appear, their myths, locations and more.
Constellations For November: Summary
Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Cetus, Hydrus, and Pisces are the constellations best visible in November. Northern constellations Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and Pisces are found in the northern celestial hemisphere, whereas Hydrus and Cetus are located in the southern celestial hemisphere. Cepheus and Cassiopeia, on the other hand, are circumpolar to northern viewers, and thus, they never set below the horizon and may be viewed all year.
Andromeda
Andromeda, the constellation devoted to Princess of Ethiopia, is visible from August to January in the northern hemisphere and from November to December in the southern hemisphere.
However, it is best visible from the Northern Hemisphere in November at a latitude of -40 degrees South.
Andromeda is a massive constellation that covers 722 square degrees of sky and is the night sky’s 19th most prominent constellation.
Andromeda is named by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the second century after the Ethiopian King and queen Cepheus and Cassiopeia.
Andromeda was bound to a rock as a sacrifice to the sea monster Cetus, according to legend. Perseus, on the other hand, saved her by turning Cetus to stone with the fractured head of the gorgon Medusa.
Later, Perseus and Andromeda married and had six offspring, one of them was Perses, the Persian’s progenitor.
Cassiopeia
The constellation Cassiopeia, Queen of Ethiopia, may be viewed all year in the northern hemisphere at latitudes between 90 degrees and -20 degrees.
It lays entirely below the horizon for anybody south of -20 degrees because of its proximity to the north celestial pole.
Cassiopeia is a mid-sized constellation with a diameter of 598 square degrees, making it the 25th biggest in the night sky.
Cassiopeia was Cepheus’s wife and the mother of Andromeda.
As punishment for boasting about being more beautiful than all the Nereids, she is shown as being imprisoned to her throne in the skies.
Cassiopeia and Cepheus were banished to the sky by the god Poseidon, who sentenced Cassiopeia to perpetually circle the celestial pole.
As a result, Cassiopeia can be seen hanging upside down as the stars rotate throughout the night as a punishment for her vanity.
Cepheus
In the northern hemisphere, the constellation Cepheus, the King, is visible all year and may be viewed between latitudes of 90 degrees and -10 degrees.
It is a medium-sized constellation with a total area of 588 square degrees, making it the night sky’s 27th most prominent constellation.
Ptolemy, the Greek astronomer, named Cepheus after the Ethiopian King Cepheus in the second century as one of his 48 constellations.
There are no Messier objects in Cepheus, however, there are a few dim deep-sky objects visible only with large telescopes.
The Cave Nebula, Iris Nebula, and Wizard Nebula all play important roles in Cepheus.
Cepheus was Cassiopeia’s spouse and the father of Andromeda.
All three are recognized as constellations in the night sky.
Because he was derived from the nymph Io, one of Zeus’ favorites, it is supposed that Zeus put him among the stars after his death.
Cetus
The sea monster constellation Cetus may be seen in the northern hemisphere in late fall and early winter at latitudes between 70 and -90 degrees.
It is the fourth biggest constellation in the night sky, encompassing a total area of 1,231 square degrees.
Cetus is located in the Water area of the sky. Eridanus, Aquarius, and Pisces are some of the other water-related constellations in this area.
In Greek mythology, Cetus is a constellation named after the sea monster sent by the god Neptune to eat Andromeda.
As a sacrifice to the demon, Andromeda was tied to a rock.
When Perseus showed Cetus the head of the gorgon Medusa, the monster was turned to stone.
This constellation is frequently mistakenly recognized as a whale nowadays.
As a result, to some, it depicts the famous Bible account of Jonah being devoured by a whale.
Hydrus
Hydrus, the southern water snake, is a constellation in the southern hemisphere of the sky that may be viewed from September through November in latitudes south of 8 degrees.
Hydrus is a minor constellation in the night sky, having a total area of approximately 243 square degrees, ranking it 61st in size among the 88 constellations.
For most viewers in the Northern Hemisphere, this constellation lies below the horizon.
Hydrus also has no mythology attached to him.
The constellation is so far south that the ancient Greeks and Romans couldn’t see it.
As a result, Dutch navigators charted it, and it reflects the sea snakes they would have met on their journeys.
Pisces
Between October and December, the northern hemisphere’s Pisces, the fish, may be seen in the sky at latitudes ranging from 90 to -65 degrees.
It is the 14th biggest constellation in the night sky, having an area of 889 square degrees.
Pisces is also one of the zodiac’s thirteen constellations, which means it is located along the route taken by the Sun during the year.
The March equinox is now in Pisces, although it is progressively travelling towards Aquarius owing to the earth’s axis’ procession.
Pisces is shown as a pair of fish swimming in opposing directions, with a common star connecting them at the tail.
On the other hand, the two fish were shown swimming together in ancient times.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the greatest constellations to see in November are Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Cetus, Hydrus, and Pisces.
The constellations Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and Pisces are located in the northern celestial hemisphere, whereas Cetus and Hydrus are situated in the southern celestial hemisphere.
Cepheus and Cassiopeia, on the other hand, are circumpolar to northern observers, which means they never set below the horizon and may be seen all year.
Whether you’re an amateur astronomer, a student, or just someone with a curious mind, don’t miss your chance to see constellations you would otherwise miss for the rest of the year this October.
You might also like:
- Constellations For January
- Constellations For February
- Constellations For March
- Constellations For April
- Constellations For May
- Constellations For June
- Constellations For July
- Constellations For August
- Constellations For September
- Constellations For October
- Constellations For November
- Constellations For December
