CASSIOPEIA

CASSIOPEIA

It is a constellation in the northern sky, named after the vain queen Cassiopeia in Greek mythology, who boasted about her unrivalled beauty. Cassiopeia was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century Greek astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations today. It is easily recognizable due to its distinctive 'W' shape, formed by five bright stars. It is bordered by Andromeda to the south, Perseus to the southeast, and Cepheus to the north. She is opposite the Big Dipper, and from northern latitudes can be seen at her clearest in early November

The Queen Cassiopeia, wife of king Cepheus of Ethiopia, was beautiful but also arrogant and vain; these latter two characteristics led to her downfall. In some source she was daughter of Coronus and Zeuxo. Her name  "she whose words excel".The boast of Cassiopeia was brought the wrath of Poseidon, ruling god of the sea, upon the kingdom of Ethiopia.

Since Poseidon punished Cassiopeia and punished, he placed her in the heavens tied to a chair in such a position that, as she circles the celestial pole in her throne, she is upside-down half the time. The constellation resembles the chair that originally represented an instrument of torture.