Constellations
Cetus constellation
Cetus is an ancient constellation and not a whale in today's sense, but the sea monster that was about to devour Andromeda before Perseus defeated it. It is one of the largest constellations and straddles the celestial equator. Its brightest star is Diphda, followed by Menkar, Kaffaljidhma and Baten Kaitos. Famous is Mira, “the wonderful”, the first long-period variable star to be recognised. At its peaks it is easily visible to the naked eye, then it fades below naked-eye visibility for months. Tau Ceti is a nearby Sun-like star and therefore a frequent target in the search for planets. Telescope users can enjoy the spiral galaxy M77. From Central Europe, Cetus is visible in the south on autumn and early winter evenings, though fairly low and without very bright stars.
The brightest stars in Cetus
| Star | HIP | Magnitude | Distance | Light set off | Name this star |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diphdaβ Cet | 3419 | 2.04 | 96 light years | around 1930 | Name this star: Diphda |
| Menkarα Cet | 14135 | 2.54 | 249 light years | around 1780 | Name this star: Menkar |
| η Cet | 5364 | 3.46 | 124 light years | around 1900 | Name this star: η Cet |
| Kaffaljidhmaγ Cet | 12706 | 3.47 | 80 light years | around 1946 | Name this star: Kaffaljidhma |
| τ Cet | 8102 | 3.49 | 12 light years | around 2014 | Name this star: τ Cet |
| ι Cet | 1562 | 3.56 | 275 light years | around 1750 | Name this star: ι Cet |
| θ Cet | 6537 | 3.60 | 114 light years | around 1910 | Name this star: θ Cet |
| Baten Kaitosζ Cet | 8645 | 3.74 | 235 light years | around 1790 | Name this star: Baten Kaitos |
| υ Cet | 9347 | 3.99 | 293 light years | around 1730 | Name this star: υ Cet |
| δ Cet | 12387 | 4.08 | 650 light years | around 1380 | Name this star: δ Cet |
| π Cet | 12770 | 4.24 | 393 light years | around 1630 | Name this star: π Cet |
| μ Cet | 12828 | 4.27 | 84 light years | around 1942 | Name this star: μ Cet |
| ξ² Cet | 11484 | 4.30 | 193 light years | around 1830 | Name this star: ξ² Cet |
| ξ¹ Cet | 10324 | 4.36 | 383 light years | around 1640 | Name this star: ξ¹ Cet |
| 7 Cet | 1170 | 4.44 | 447 light years | around 1580 | Name this star: 7 Cet |
Distances from the Hipparcos catalogue. For very distant stars they are uncertain – the year the light set off is therefore only a rough guide.
Frequently asked questions
When can you see the Cetus constellation?
The best time to see Cetus is in the evening in November, when the constellation reaches its highest point in the south around 10 pm.
What is the brightest star in Cetus?
The brightest star in Cetus is Diphda (β Cet) with an apparent magnitude of 2.04, about 96 light years away.
Can I name a star in Cetus?
Yes – for free at Sternschenker. Our catalogue contains 194 naked-eye stars in Cetus. Pick one, give it a name and download your certificate as a PDF. The name is symbolic and not recognised by the IAU.
Which star will it be?
The sky is waiting. Naming your star takes about two minutes.
Name a star in Cetus