The Constellation and Mythological Hero Perseus

Composite image of 2015 Perseid meteor shower, taken over 3 nights by Scott MacNeill at Frosty Drew Observatory, Charlestown, Rhode Island. Photo grabbed from http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earthskys-meteor-shower-guide

Since the Perseid meteor shower is very close to my heart, I have decided to write about the constellation and the history behind where it radiates from--- the Perseus constellation.

Perseus and the nearby constellations. Photo grabbed from http://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/perseus-constellation/

Annually, Perseid meteor shower radiates from this constellation and blesses our eyes with such literally out-of-this-world beauty. If you are wondering how it would look, you better watch the Slooh footage embedded in this Express UK Perseid Meteor Shower.

This constellation is located in the northern hemisphere of the sky, surrounded by Camelopardalis and Cassiopeia to the north, Auriga to the east, Aries and Taurus to the south and, Andromeda and Triangulum to the west. 

I do not know if you have noticed in the earlier photo grab, but the constellation depicts a man holding onto a severed head.

So gruesome! *gasps*

But I have to give it to Ptolymy’s wild imagination, the astronomer who discovered the constellation, a slow clap. 

 

Of all things, why does he have to perceive it as a man holding onto a detached head? Can’t it be just a bundle of turnip? 

Well, I hope it amped-up your interest. I hope I have intrigued you enough to scroll down a little bit more to know whose head was it.

.

.

.

.

-

-

-

-

-

- 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Whose head was it?

Drum roll please!

The man is Perseus! --- The son of almighty Zeus and the humble mortal Danaë. It is given, yes, since we are talking about Perseus. 

But wait for this, Perseus is also a monster slayer. He is actually famous for being one. He goes by “Perseus, the slayer of Medusa the Gorgon!” Poor Medusa. She doesn’t get to have a constellation for her whole body.

Photo grabbed from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus_(constellation)

One more thing, Perseus is not the only constellation named after a mythological character. Some of its neighboring constellations were also named after a character like Cassiopeia, mother of Andromeda which was Perseus’ wife. It is observable that astronomers tend to name their discoveries after a mythological character. Even the planets in our Solar System are not an exemption. 

Photo grabbed from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mythology-of-the-Days-of-the-Week-PowerPoint-Solar-System-PPT-1685892

Enough of the science stuff, let us now jump to the rich history of Perseus by reading this Perseus, son of Zeus.

Here's the official trailer of the Clash of Titans: Clash of Titans Official Trailer 

Now I challenge you readers. Spot Perseus and share it with us! If you also want to witness the Perseid meteor shower, here are some tips so you can better enjoy Perseid at its best: Let's Stargaze!