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Mythology
In Greek mythology, Cassiopeia was the vain queen of Ethiopia. Although accounts differ, it is said that Cassiopeia once spoke into a mirror that her daughter Andromeda was more beautiful than the sea nymphs. This angered the sea god Poseidon so much that he sent a flood to destroy the kingdom of Ethiopia. To appease Poseidon, Andromeda was chained to a rock to be sacrificed to the sea monster Cetus. Just before she was to be devoured by Cetus, the Greek hero Perseus rescued Andromeda and killed the sea monster. In exchange for his help, Andromeda agreed to marry him. Cassiopeia was so angered by the marriage that she conspired to kill Perseus. At the wedding celebration, a battle ensued and Perseus used the head of Medusa to turn Cassiopeia to stone. As punishment for her vanity, Poseidon cast Cassiopeia into the sky to sit at such an angle that, for half the year, she is upside down.
Best Time to See Cassiopeia
Constellations located close to the celestial poles -- the points in space where Earth's north and south axes extend -- are called circumpolar. Cassiopeia is a circumpolar constellation in the northern hemisphere. It is visible all year long, but can be seen most clearly during the fall and reaches the highest point in the night sky during the month of November.
How to Find Cassiopeia
Depending on the time of year, Cassiopeia will appear as either a "W" or "M." First, find the Big Dipper. Locate the two stars that make up the outside edge of the dipper and follow an imaginary straight line to Polaris, the fourth star on the tip of the Little Dipper's handle. Extend the imaginary line through Polaris and you will find Cassiopeia.
Cassiopeia Supernova
In November of 1572, a star in the Cassiopeia constellation exploded. According to astronomers at the University of Michigan, it was the first "nearby" supernova to occur in hundreds of years. Sixteenth-century observers recorded that for two weeks the supernova, named Cassiopeia A, was brighter than any other star in the night sky and could be seen during the daylight as well. According to accounts, it remained visible for 16 months.