The noted variable Mira also known as ο Ceti is the chief object of interest in this constellation.
It was discovered by Fabricius in 1596 and varies from the ninth magnitude to the third or fourth in a period of 334 days. It can be observed during its entire range with a 3" glass.
In 1779 Mira is reported to have been as bright as the first-magnitude star Aldebaran. It lies almost exactly on a line joining γ and ζ Ceti a little nearer the former. Ten degrees south of it are four faint stars about 3° apart forming a square.
τ Ceti is one of our nearest neighbors at a distance of nine light years.
MUSCA (mus´-kä)--THE FLY. (Face Southeast.)
LOCATION.--Musca lies between Triangulum and Aries, the diagram clearly defining its position.
The four stars composing it form a group shaped like the letter "Y."
There is nothing of particular interest to be noted in this asterism. It does not appear on modern star charts and is considered obsolete.
So great is the distance that separates us from the stars that as for the great majority had they been blotted out of existence before the Christian era, we of to-day should still receive their light and seem to see them just as we do. When we scan the nocturnal skies we study ancient history. We do not see the stars as they are but as they were centuries on centuries ago.
+-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ | | | | | Other Dates | | | Name of Shower | Date | Radiant Point |Characteristics| of |Location| | | | | | Observation | | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ | | | Between Great | | | | | Ursids |Oct. 4 |Bear's head and | Sw. Sk. | Aug. 20-24 | N. | | | | Polaris | | | | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ |Epsilon Arietids | | East of Hamal, | | Oct. 11-24, | | | Rich shower |Oct. 14| near Musca | M. Sw. | Oct. 30- | E. | | 1877 | | | | Nov. 4 | | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ | Orionids |Oct. 18| Near Alhena in | After 11 P.M. | Oct. 16-22 | E. | | Fine shower | | Gemini | Sw. Sk. | | | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ | | |Near Castor and | After 10 P.M. | Nov. 7, | | | Delta Geminids |Oct. 29| Pollux | v. Sw. Sk. | Dec. 4, | N.E. | | | | | | Oct. 16-22 | | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ |(e) Taurids. Rich|Nov. 2 | About 13° S.E. | Sl. B.T. | Nov. 2-3 | E. | | shower in 1886 | | of Aldebaran | | | | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ | Leonids | |Near (γ) Leonis |After midnight.| | | |Brilliant shower |Nov. 13| In the Sickle | v. Sw. | Nov. 12-14 | N.E. | | | | | Sk. | | | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ | | | Near (μ) Ursæ | After 10 P.M. | Sept. 15, | | | Leo Minorids |Nov. 16|Maj., the Great | v. Sw. Sk. | Oct. 16 | N. | | | |Bear's hind feet| | | | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ | Andromedids. | | Near (γ) | | Nov. 17-23 | | | The Bielids. |Nov. 27| Andromedæ | Sl. T. | Nov. 21-28 |Overhead| | Fine display | | | | | | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ | |Nov. 30|Between Capella | | Aug. 16 | | | Taurids | |and (α) Persei | V. Sw. | Sept. 15, |Overhead| | | | | | Nov. 20 | | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ | Zeta Taurids. |Dec. 6 | Near the horns | | | | | Active shower | | of the Bull | Sl. B. | | E. | | in 1876 | | | | | | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ | Geminids. |Dec. 10| Near Castor | Sw. | Dec. 1-14 | E. | | Fine shower | | | | | | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ | Kappa Draconids |Dec. 22| Near Thuban | | Nov. 14-23 | | | | | (α) Draconis | Sw. Sk. | Dec. 18-29 | | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+ | Fire Ball Dates | | | | Nov. 29 | | | | | | |Dec. 2, 19, 21| | +-----------------+-------+----------------+---------------+--------------+--------+