Creepy Contellations
Perseus: Named after the Greek mythological hero who defeated Medusa and saved Andromeda contains the star Algol known as the Demon Star (from the Arabic al-ghūl, meaning the ghoul or demon). Ancient stargazers associated its rhythmic dimming and brightening with the winking, evil eye of the Gorgon Medusa.
Scorpius: Often connected to the scorpion that stung Orion, this constellation has historically symbolized hidden danger, venom, and the destructive sting of desire or vengeance.
Hydra: Representing a massive, multi-headed water snake in Greek mythology, it was frequently linked in later symbolic interpretations to chaos and the multiplicity of ego or evil.
Cetus: Represents a colossal sea monster or chimera from Greek myth with a dragon's head and a fish-like body. Legend says the princess Andromeda was chained to a rock as a sacrifice for this beast before Perseus intervened.
Draco: Spans a massive, winding path across the northern night sky as a terrifying celestial dragon. In mythology, it guards the golden apples of the Hesperides and was cast into the stars by Athena after being defeated in battle. Hidden within its coils is the eerie, glowing green-blue Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543)
Eridanus: A sprawling, river-like constellation that plays host to the unsettling Witch Head Nebula, a faint reflection nebula glowing with a ghostly blue face that resembles an old witch.
Creepy Deep-Sky Objects
Witch Head Nebula (IC 2118): Located near the bright star Rigel in Orion, this faint reflection nebula eerily mirrors the sharp profile of an old witch's face. Visually a tough one.
Ghost Nebula (vdb 141): Located in the constellation Cepheus, this reflection nebula features ghostly, dark shrouds of dust making it look like apparitions drifting through space.
Owl Nebula (M97): Found in Ursa Major, this planetary nebula features two dark, circular patches that resemble the hollow, glaring eyes of an owl.
Owl Cluster (NGC 457) Located in Cassiopeia this open cluster resembles its scary namesake with two bright stars that make up its eyes. This one a hoot.
Ghost of Mirach (NGC 404) This faint galaxy is located within 7 arc-minutes of second magnitude star Mirach in Andromeda, making it a difficult target to observe granting it the nickname "Mirach's Ghost"
Ghost of Cassiopeia (IC 63) A faint emission and reflection nebula located near the star Gamma Cassiopeiae. This apparition is more of a photographic object than visual one.
Hopefully this list will get in the spirit during the best holiday season of the year
Clear and Dark Skies, Dave Holland
