In the northern sky, on the other side of the Pole star from the Big Dipper, is a prominent, W-shaped constellation named Cassiopeia. The bright central star at the peak of the W is called Gamma Cassiopeiae. Of the second magnitude in brightness. Gamma is a hot blue body of some 25,000° C. surface temperature, as against the sun's 6,000°. In the closing months of last year astronomers noted curious fluctuations in the quality and quantity of light from Gamma, which may be throbbing indicators that it is preparing to burst forth as a...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
