Double star: Albireo (Beta Cygni)





































Albireo (Beta Cygni): Double Star in Cygnus - SCT 8" f/10 - 12mm Plossl eyepiece - 169x - 22 May 2010 - 22:04 UT - High cirrus clouds

Constellation Cygnus
Apparent magnitude 3.18 & 5.82
Spectral type K3III & B0V

Through the telescope, Albireo resolved into a double star, consisting of Albireo A (amber), and Albireo B (blue-green). The two components are considered to be one of the best double stars in the sky due to their different colors.

Medieval Arabic-speaking astronomers called Albireo minqar al-dajjah. Albireo is located at the head of the swan, and is sometimes called the "beak star".