An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The Whale, or Sea Monster. A large, rather inconspicuous → constellation in the equatorial region of the sky at R.A. 1h 30m, Dec. -10°. Its brightest star (Diphda) is a 2nd magnitude and contains → Mira Ceti, the first-known variable star, and the → Seyfert galaxy M77. Abbreviation: Cet; genitive form: Ceti.

Etymology (EN): Named after the sea monster in Gk. mythology sent by Poseidon to punish the Queen → Cassiopeia for bragging that she or her daughter → Andromeda was more beautiful than the Nereides. But → Perseus rescued Andromeda.

Etymology (PE): Ketus, from Gk., Arabicized form Qeytas (قیطس).