Cepheus

Cepheus is another of the circumpolar constellations, those that can be seen on any clear night if the northern horizon is unobstructed. Although composed of no stars brighter than third magnitude, Cepheus lies partialy within the northern portion of the Milky Way and is host to a number of emission nebulae, including the large one named IC1396 which spans nearly 2 1/2 degrees of the sky. The nebula is not visible on my photo but surrounds the blue star which lies just to the right of the orange star forming the bottom of Cepheus' jaw. Cepheus is named after King Cepheus of Ethiopia, Cassiopeia's husband, and is shown here as a head lying on its side, wearing a triangular hat. The three brighter stars in Cepheus will come close to the north celestial pole in 2000, 4000, and 6000 years from now.

Taken Sunday, June 10, 2012, with the D-90 and its 28 to 105 zoom lens set on 28mm. Exposure is 30 seconds with ISO 3200, using the C-5 telescope to track the stars.