Sigma Cassiopeiae is a rewarding binary star to see in the constellation of Cassiopeia. Backyard astronomers will want to use higher power to separate the pair. This is a great double star to view on fall nights.
Category Archives: Double/Multiple Stars
HD 919: A Red Variable Double Star in Cepheus
HD 919, also known as HIP 1124 or STTA 1, is a variable double star in the constellation Cepheus that warrants a look due to its pretty red color contrasted against a white secondary star.
Struve 2883: A Pretty Contrasting Binary Star Cepheus
HD 210884, also known as HIP 109474 or STF 2883, is a double star in the constellation Cepheus. It’s best viewed on autumn nights.
Kappa Delphini: A Deceiving Triple Star System
Discover Kappa Delphini in Delphinus—a fascinating triple star system with a bright primary and companions, perfect for summer backyard stargazing.
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.
Eta Lyrae (Aladfar): A Massive, Luminous Binary Star
Eta Lyrae is both a variable and binary star in the constellation Lyra. The traditional name for the star is Aladfar, which is Arabic for the talons of a swooping eagle. You can view the binary from suburban skies with a smaller to medium sized telescope.
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
The Garden Astronomer 