Category Archives: Double/Multiple Stars

Delta Cephei: Astronomy’s Royal Gem Fit for a King

The variable star Delta Cephei lies in the constellation Cepheus and is a one of the most important and historical stars in astronomy. Delta Cep makes the basis for all Cepheids, which Henrietta Leavitt discoveed that their luminosities are directly related to their periods of pulsation. This led to our being able to measure greater distances starting when Edwin Hubble uncovered the distance to the Andromeda Galaxy after finding a Cepheid in the galaxy.

Rho Herculis: A Close Pair that Teases Different Colors

Rho Herculis (ρ Herculis) is a double star in the constellation Hercules, which is best viewed in summer. This fine pair are close in type and brightness, and most see them as bright white. However, my observation differs in that the smaller of the pair seems blue green in color as the sketch shows.

Delta Herculis (Sarin): A White Star Surrounded by Mulitple Blues

Delta Herculis (δ Herculis) is a multiple star system with a bright white center star named Sarin. The star is the third brightest in the constellation Hercules best viewed in summer. Several blue optical companions surround the magnitude 3 central star. Double also known as Struve (Σ 3127) and SAO 84951