The deep red color of Mu Cephei was noted by William Herschel, who described it as "a very fine deep garnet colour, such as the periodical star ο Ceti", and it is thus commonly known as Herschel's "Garnet Star".
The deep red color of Mu Cephei was noted by William Herschel, who described it as "a very fine deep garnet colour, such as the periodical star ο Ceti", and it was called "Garnet sidus" by Giuseppe Piazzi in his catalogue. Later, it is thus commonly known as Herschel's "Garnet Star".