Cassiopeja

Cassiopeja, also known in English as Cassiopeia, is a prominent northern constellation named after the mythological queen Cassiopeia from Greek legend. It is one of the oldest recognized constellations and is easily identified by its distinctive W- or M-shaped pattern.

The constellation lies near the Milky Way and is largely circumpolar for observers across much of the northern hemisphere, making it visible year-round from mid to high latitudes. The pattern is formed by five bright stars: Schedar (Alpha Cassiopeiae), Caph (Beta Cassiopeiae), Gamma Cassiopeiae, Ruchbah (Delta Cassiopeiae), and Segin (Epsilon Cassiopeiae). These stars outline the familiar central figure of a seated queen, often used as a navigational reference in the night sky.

Cassiopeja contains several notable deep-sky objects. The region includes the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A, one of the strongest radio sources in the Milky Way. It also hosts the Pacman Nebula (NGC 281) and the Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635), as well as the open cluster NGC 457, commonly called the Owl Cluster or E.T. Cluster, which are popular targets for amateur observers.

Mythology provides the name’s origin: Cassiopeia was the wife of Cepheus and queen of Aethiopia, famed for her vanity. According to legend, her celestial punishment was to sit in a throne that periodically rotates around the north celestial pole, causing the constellation to appear to flip orientation during its daily circuit.

In summary, Cassiopeja is valued for its easy recognizability, year-round visibility, and rich cultural and astronomical features.