The constellation Cepheus (Cepheus) — stars, boundaries, depth model

The constellation in depth

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Data

IAU abbreviation: Cep
Genitive: Cephei
Area: 587.8 sq °
Catalogue stars: 157
Of those, named: 4
Introduced by: Ptolemy, the Almagest, 2nd century
Brightest star: Alderamin · 2.44ᵐ

Stars of the constellation

Stars of the constellation	Apparent magnitude	Distance	Spectral class
Alderamin	2.44	49 light years	A7V
Errai	3.21	45 light years	K1III-IV
Alfirk	3.23	595 light years	B1IV
Kurhah	4.29	102 light years	A3/6Vm

History and myth

Cepheus is the Ethiopian king, father of Andromeda. Delta Cephei lies here and gives its name to the Cepheid variables: their pulsation period is tied rigidly to their luminosity, and that link turned variable stars into the ruler that measures distances to galaxies.