The Sea Monster
Cetus
Genitive: Ceti · abbreviation Cet
Best evening month
December
Visible from
90°S to 85°N
Centre RA
1h 53m 00s
Centre Dec
−5° 00′
In your sky
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Mythology & origin
The monster sent by Poseidon to ravage Aethiopia, slain or petrified by Perseus. Mira, its famous variable star, swings from naked-eye bright to invisible.
Ptolemy · Almagest, 2nd century AD
Brightest stars
- mag 2.04
Diphda
β Ceti · HIP 3419
- mag 2.54
Menkar
α Ceti · HIP 14135
- mag 3.46
Dheneb
η Ceti · HIP 5364
- mag 3.47
Kaffaljidhma
γ Ceti · HIP 12706
- mag 3.49
τ Ceti
HIP 8102
- mag 3.56
Deneb Kaitos Shemali
ι Ceti · HIP 1562
- mag 3.60
Al Naymat
θ Ceti · HIP 6537
- mag 3.74
Baten Kaitos
ζ Ceti · HIP 8645
- mag 3.99
υ Ceti
HIP 9347
- mag 4.08
δ Ceti
HIP 12387