Albireo
Also known as β Cyg · HR 7417
Albireo is a double or multiple star in the constellation Cygnus, about 360 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Double or multiple star (spectral type K3II+B9.5V) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Cygnus |
| Position (J2000) | 19h 30m 43s, +27° 57′ |
| Distance | 360 light-years (its light set off about 360 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 3.08 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 238 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Albireo is highest in the sky at midnight in July. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 82° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 68°. To see it you need the naked eye, even from a town.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Cygnus
- Cooling Tower Cluster (M29)
- Cygnus A
- Cygnus X-1
- Fireworks Galaxy
- M39 (NGC 7092)
- North America Nebula
- Pelican Nebula
- Veil Nebula
Everything in Cygnus · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits