Cepheus
The king beside the northern pole
Best on September–November evenings · far-northern sky (circumpolar for much of the northern hemisphere).
Cepheus is a mid-sized northern constellation shaped roughly like a child's drawing of a house — a square of stars with a pointed top. It sits between Cassiopeia and the pole, making it circumpolar for most northern-hemisphere observers and best placed high overhead on autumn evenings.
How to find it
On autumn evenings, find the bold W of Cassiopeia high in the northern sky, then look just past it toward Polaris — Cepheus lies right there, its pentagon-house outline bridging the gap. The brightest corner, Alderamin, is the easiest entry point, sitting on the side of the pattern nearest to the Summer Triangle's Deneb.
Brightest stars
Alderamin (α Cep) leads at magnitude 2.44, a white star marking the king's right shoulder. Errai (γ Cep, 3.21) and Alfirk (β Cep, 3.23) are close behind, forming the tip and a base corner of the house shape.
Worth seeing
Hunt down the Garnet Star (μ Cep, magnitude 4.08) — one of the most deeply red stars in the entire sky, its ruddy orange-red color is visible to the naked eye on a dark night and striking in binoculars.
Frequently asked
When is Cepheus visible?
Autumn evenings, September through November, are when it rides highest for northern observers. Because it sits so close to the celestial pole, it's circumpolar from mid-northern latitudes and technically up all year — autumn just puts it at its best.
What are the brightest stars in Cepheus?
Alderamin shines brightest at magnitude 2.44, followed closely by Errai (3.21) and Alfirk (3.23). Together they outline the main shape of the constellation, with the deep-red Garnet Star (4.08) adding a striking color contrast nearby.
Which hemisphere is Cepheus best seen from?
The northern hemisphere, where it's circumpolar from about 40° north and higher — meaning it never sets and circles the pole all year. Southern observers at low latitudes will find it difficult or impossible to see.
Nearby constellations
Cassiopeia · Draco · Ursa Minor · Cygnus · Andromeda · Lyra · Perseus · Pegasus