9/17/2023 0 Comments Autumn sky map algol![]() ![]() The change is dramatic, looking as if the star might disappear altogether. ![]() Click to animate.ĭuring eclipse, Algol fades from magnitude +2.1 (as bright as one of the Big Dipper stars) to +3.4, then returns to its original brightness. The larger, fainter B star swings in front of and then behind the primary in the sequence. The stars Algol A (center) and Algol B photographed with Georgia State University's Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) interferometric array on Mount Wilson, California. Astronomers refer to this pair as an eclipsing binary. Every 2.87 days, Algol B partially eclipses the hotter and brighter Algol A. The name derives from Arabic "Al-Ghul," (ghoul) and may hint at its then-mysterious habit of fading away and returning to normal brightness in a matter of hours. We now understand that this evil-spirited behavior can be blamed on Algol B, its dimmer companion star. What if I told you that you could stand in your front yard and watch one star eclipse another 93 light-years away from Earth with nothing but your eyeballs? As improbable as it sounds, this sight is within easy reach of northern hemisphere skywatchers once or twice a month throughout fall and winter.Īlgol, nicknamed the Demon Star, resides in the constellation Perseus directly below the "W" of Cassiopeia. Algol (Beta Persei) in the constellation Perseus is not only easy to see, but fun to watch during eclipse. ** Circumpolar constellations are visible year-round in the hemisphere listed (and not at all in the opposite hemisphere).The dark ways of Algol, the Demon Star, and what it can teach us about stellar evolution. Remember that seasons are reversed too - summer in northern latitudes is winter in southern latitudes. ![]() For the southern hemisphere, constellations appear rotated 180 degrees (upside-down and left-right reversed) from what is shown. * Constellation shown for northen hemisphere skies. To observe the deep sky objects, however, a telescope or a pair of binoculars is required. Both the brightest stars, Mirfak and Algol, can be spotted with the naked eye. Perseus is most easily observed during the late autumn and early winter months in the Northern Hemisphere. These meteors are remnants of the comet Swift-Tuttle and put on a dazzling display, typically peaking around mid-August. One of the most famous annual meteor showers, the Perseids, is named after Perseus because the meteors seem to originate from the direction of the constellation. The constellation is also home to the Double Cluster (NGC 869 and NGC 884), a pair of open clusters that are a treat for observers using binoculars or small telescopes. This cluster is a strong source of X-rays and is an important subject for extragalactic astronomy. Perseus is rich in deep sky objects, which includes the famous Perseus Cluster (Abell 426), a massive galaxy cluster located about 240 million light-years away. Known as the "Demon Star," Algol represents the head of the Gorgon Medusa in mythology. The constellation is also home to Algol (Beta Persei), a multiple star system famous for its notable brightness variations. With an apparent magnitude of 1.79, Mirfak is easily visible to the naked eye. ![]() The brightest star in the constellation is Mirfak (also known as Alpha Persei), which is a supergiant of spectral type F5 Ib. Covering an area of 615 square degrees, Perseus is the 24th largest constellation in the night sky. It's bordered by Andromeda to the south and west, Cassiopeia to the north, and Taurus to the east. Perseus is located in the first quadrant of the Northern Hemisphere (NQ1), and it can be seen at latitudes between +90? and -35?. In Greek mythology, Perseus was the son of Zeus and Dana? and was known for killing the Gorgon Medusa. Perseus is one of the 48 constellations listed by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Its mythological links and varied celestial objects make it a point of interest for both astronomers and stargazers alike. Named after the Greek hero Perseus, it is known for its significant historical and astronomical interest. Perseus is a prominent constellation in the northern hemisphere. ![]()
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