The Andromeda Legend

All of the characters of the Andromeda legend are in the sky tonight. Our guides to these constellations are, first, the Big Dipper, low in the north, and the planet Mars, blazing in the eastern sky.

The end stars of the Big Dipper point to the North Star, Polaris, about halfway up the northern sky. Continue an equal distance to a "W" shaped group of stars. This is the vain queen Cassiopeia, who, boasting of her beauty so enraged Neptune that he sent a sea monster to ravage the coast of her land.

The eye of the sea monster Cetus is a hands-breadth below Mars; the rest of Cetus is a row of dim stars low in the south-east, trailing towards the west.

Midway between the last star of this "W" and the Pole Star is the peak of the roof of a little house representing King Cepheus. The house itself extends to the south Here he is, bearing the fateful news that he and Cassiopeia must sacrifice their daughter Andromeda to the monster.

South-west of Mars is the magnificent great square of Pegasus -- but that's getting ahead of our story.

Trailing to the north from the top corner of this square is Andromeda herself, chained to the rocks, awaiting the arrival of Cetus.

But wait! Here comes the hero Perseus (a "J" shaped figure to the north-east of Andromeda.) He was just returning from slaying the Medusa, whose glance would turn men into stone. Perseus held the head high, the monster looked, and Andromeda was saved.

Finally, the winged horse Pegasus stands nearby, waiting to carry Perseus and Andromeda to their nuptials. (Who wouldn't marry the man who saved her from being devoured by a sea monster?)

(10/17/05)