The Winged Horse. The Story of Perseus. Take a look at the story of how Perseus slew Medusa, the mother of Pegasus, and rescued Andromeda, the daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia, from the sea monster Cetus. Pegasus was later brought to Mount Helicon by Bellerophon and with one kick of his hoof, he caused the spring of Hippocrene to flow. Hippocrene is said to be the source of inspiration to poets. Bellerophon, who slayed the hideous beast Chimaera, became so headstrong that he ordered Pegasus to fly him up to Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. This impudence angered Zeus, who sent an insect to sting the winged horse, who bucked Bellerophon off its back. Needless to say, Bellerophon did not survive the fall to Earth. Pegasus went on to greatness, however, as the "Thundering Horse of Jove" who carried lightning bolts for Zeus.

Northern Hemisphere observers see Pegasus upside down. The easiest part of Pegasus to identify is the so called "Great Square of Pegasus", a group of 4 stars that form a large, nearly perfect square. In modern times, it is also called the "Baseball Diamond", because as it rises, it assumes the shape of a diamond, rather than a square.