Menkar ranks as the second-brightest star in the constellation Cetus the Sea-monster, after Diphda (or Deneb Kaitos: Sea-monster’s Tail). All the same, Menkar has been awarded the alpha designation (Alpha Ceti), possibly because Menkar sits closer to the ecliptic – the sun’s yearly circuit in front of the background stars.
Where is the ecliptic in relation to the Milky Way?
As seen from northern temperate and polar latitudes, Menkar shines due south around 9 p.m. local time on the December winter solstice (on or near December 21). Because all the stars, except the sun, return to the same place in the sky about 2 hours earlier with each passing month, that places Menkar highest up and due south around 8 p.m. on January 21, and 6 p.m. on February 21.
The V-shaped Hyades star cluster serves as a directional arrow, pointing the way to the star Menkar. Hop two fist-widths from the point of the “V” to locate Menkar’s approximate position in the star-studded heavens. (Hold your fist at arm’s length.)
Hyades: Face of Taurus the Bull
It’s pretty easy to see Menkar and the Circlet of stars outlining the head of Cetus the Sea-monster in a dark sky. In the lore of the sky, this fearsome creature almost gobbled up the Princess Andromeda, the daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia. But Perseus the hero rescued the Ethiopian princess in the nick of time.
Sky chart of the constellation Cetus the Seamonster
Image credit: Wikipedia
A small telescope shows Menkar to be a colorful double star. The orange giant star, Menkar, contrasts with its fainter blue-white companion, the star 93 Ceti. These two stars are not physically related but happen to align on the stellar sphere. Menkar resides some 220 light-years away, while 93 Ceti is at least twice that distance away.
Menkar’s ruddy complexion reveals that it’s a cool star in the autumn of its years, and 93 Ceti’s blue-white radiance indicates a hot star in the heyday of youth.
