Starwatch: Taurus and Orion point way to Cetus the sea monster

Obscure constellation's name features in Perseus myth as beast denied chance to devour Andromeda

This week presents a good chance to see one of the more obscure autumn constellations: Cetus, the sea monster. Sometimes referred to as a whale, Cetus is part of the myth of Perseus, which includes the other constellations Pegasus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and Cepheus.

In the story, Perseus rescues Andromeda from Cetus, after she is chained to the rocks for the monster to devour in the gods' punishment for Andromeda's boasts of her beauty.