Perseus

596 Words2 Pages

The constellation Perseus has many interesting astronomical and mythological aspects that make it unique. He is well known for his myth, but his scientific features are very neat, too.
Perseus, or “the hero,” has twenty-eight stars. The brightest, most recognizable ones are Mirfak and Algol. Mirfak is the brightest star of Perseus. It is a little bit brighter than Polaris, the North Star. Algol is the most famous star. In the constellation, Algol is the eye of Medusa, translating to “demon star.” People used to think that Algol was cursed due to its constant change in brightness, but we know today that sometimes another star overlaps Algol, causing its magnitude to appear to change. Perseus has six stars with confirmed planets. (Coder pp. 85 & 87, Fanshawe, Perseus Constellation, Perseus Hero)
Perseus, the twenty-forth largest constellation, is depicted as a man holding a sword in one hand and the head of Medusa in the other. Ptolemy discovered the constellation during the second century. Measuring 28 degrees in length, it lies in the Northern Hemisphere and can be seen best in December around nine o’clock P.M. It can also be seen in the Southern Hemisphere during the summer from latitudes north of negative thirty-five degrees. (Coder pp. 85 & 87, Fanshawe, Perseus Astronomer, Perseus Champion, Perseus Constellation)
There are two meteor showers associated with Perseus—the Perseids and the September Perseids. The Perseid meteor shower is the most impressive one. It is visible in August, and the Perseus constellation is its radiant point. (Perseus Champion, Perseus Constellation, Perseus He-ro)
There is actually an entire family of constellations named after Perseus and his story; it includes Andromeda, Pegasus...

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...//www.sott.net/article/222912-Perseus-Constellation-Myth-Stars-Deep-Sky-Objects-Comets>.
“Perseus.” Perseus. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb 2014. .
“Perseus.” Top Astronomer. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb 2014. .
“Perseus: the champion, the rescuer.” Constellations of Words. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb 2014. .
“Perseus Constellation.” Constellation Guide. N.p., 2014. Web. 6 Feb 2014. .
“Perseus, the Hero.” StarDate Online. The University of Texas McDonald Obsrtvatory, n.d. Web. 12 Feb 2014. .
Wilkinson, Kristin. Personal Interview. 13 Feb 2014.

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