Tag Archives: Autumn

Kappa Andromedae: A Double Star with a Companion Exoplanet

Kappa Andromedae resides in the constellation Andromeda, a constellation taking a prominent position high in the sky on late autumn nights. Due to its bright visual magnitude of 4.1, Kappa Andromedae is viewable with the naked eye, even from suburban locations. A gas giant exoplanet orbits the star. Also known as Kap And, SAO 53264, HJ 1898, HIP 116805, HR 8976, HD 222439, 19 Andromedae, k And.

Struve 2486 (HD 179558): A Buttery Binary in Cygnus

The binary system, Struve 2486, was first recorded in 1819 by astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve. It can be easily observed through most modest backyard telescopes. Both stars in this binary system are bright, yellow and have a similar magnitude.. Also known as HD 179558 and SAO 48192 and HR 7293.

Struve 2470 and 2474: Lyra’s Other Entrancing Double Double

During summertime and autumn, Struve 2470 and 2474 make for an entrancing sight in the night sky. These two double-star systems are located close to each other and appear parallel due to their orientation. These four stars can appear in the eyepiece together, making for a beautiful harmony in the cosmos. Also known as SAO 67870 and SAO 67875.

Struve 2840: An Easy to See Blue and White Pair in Cepheus

The double star Struve 2840 is located in the northern sky within the constellation Cepheus. Backyard astronomers should find it pretty easy to separate Struve 2840’s two stars, which are separated by 18 arcseconds. The pair is also known as STF 2840, SAO 33819, HD 208063, HR 8357.

Kappa Cephei: A Cosmic Dance Between a Bright and Dim Star

Kappa Cephei, also known as κ Cep and SAO 9665, is a binary star located in the Cepheus constellation. This pair is a tight, but pretty double viewed through a telescope and a good target for backyard astronomers. This system, discovered in 1782, is especially appealing because one star is brighter than the other. Learn about this autumn gem and what you can expect to see through your telescope.

Omicron Cephei: A Challenging but Rewarding Pair in Cepheus

Omicron Cephei, a binary star system situated in the northern sky in the constellation, Cepheus, consists of two contrasting stars; an F-type primary star and a G-type giant companion. This pair’s binary nature was first noted in 1832, and it lies 203 light years away, requiring a moderately-sized telescope for viewing. The binary is also known as SAO 20554, Struve STF 3001, HIP 115088.