Hello there everyone!
I cannot believe it is December! It feels like just yesterday that I was starting this blog. A full year has almost gone by, and we are closing up the full moon names with the December Full Moon this evening. The December moon is called the Cold Moon or Long Night's Moon. Of course, the Cold Moon makes sense, as it was noticed that the winter nights had finally started to settle in, along with the frosts/freezes of the winter season.
The Long Night's Moon is a clever way to notice that the Moon hangs longer and higher in the night sky, as the Sun hangs closer to the horizon due to the tilt of the Earth's axis away from the Sun and the Winter Solstice approaches.
Also, you may want to catch an early morning treat of a Lunar Eclipse that is slated to be spectacular, as it is timed during the moon set around 7:00am Arizona Time. Near the horizon, the Moon will appear super big, and the ruddy red color that the Moon takes on during an Eclipse is bound to be magnified.
Now, to start the two part story regarding the troubled family mentioned in the blog title. It has to do with a Queen, King, and their daughter. Cassiopeia, Cepheus, and Andromeda were a royal family that lived in Joppa, which was thought to be located on the Eastern coast of Africa. Queen Cassiopeia was known for her boasting, especially about the beauty of her daughter Andromeda and herself. She was also known to be of the attitude that her royal family was better than the other commoners, and even perhaps as great as the Gods and Goddesses. Poseidon was especially enraged when he heard Cassiopeia boast that she and her daughter were more beautiful that any of his sea maidens. He decided to send a large sea monster called Cretes to flood Joppa with a huge tsunami.
Cassiopeia is easy to find in the winter night sky. She is one of the circumpolar constellations, which rotates in a fixed position around the North Star. Find Polaris, and you are sure to be able to find your way to the "M" or "W" of Cassiopeia. This "W" is known symbolically as her throne. She hangs upside down for most of the year, in punishment for her vanity and ego-centrism.
King Cepheus, hearing the news that his city was in danger, consulted the Oracle, who suggested to appease the sea monster with a sacrifice. Cepheus was enraged at Cassiopeia for her boast, and tried to find any other suitable ways to please Poseidon, but not any sacrifice would do; it was to be his daughter Andromeda. Cepheus swallowed his fear and anger and succumbed to chaining his daughter to the side of the coastal cliff, despite her cries. He can be found as the dimmest constellation of this story, as a reflection of how much sorrow had taken his vigor and humility had brought him to his knees. The constellation is seen as the shape of a dim house, with an elongated triangle roof. Some actually think they can see the King on his knees, with his hands folded to the heavens in humble submission.
Andromeda, as a constellation, is just a large "V" or "A," and meant to symbolize the chains she was wearing on the cliff. She eventually got the best deal out of the event, but we will need to wait until next time to learn the outcome of this dilemma she was placed in. Within the constellation, we can view the closest deep sky object to our home; the Andromeda galaxy, which can sometimes be seen with the naked eye as a white splotch within the chains.
Our last post will explain the conclusion of this tale and end of journey through the night sky together. Catch up with you then!
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