VV Cephei
Also known as VV Cep
VV Cephei is a red supergiant star in the constellation Cepheus, about 3,250 light-years from Earth.
Eclipsing binary with a red supergiant, in Cepheus
Facts
| Type | Red supergiant star (spectral type M2Ibep+B2?ep_sh) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Cepheus |
| Position (J2000) | 21h 56m 39s, +63° 37′ |
| Distance | 3,250 light-years (its light set off about 3,250 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 4.9 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 470 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
VV Cephei is highest in the sky at midnight in August. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 46° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 76°. To see it you need the naked eye from a dark site.
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 Cepheus
- Alderamin
- Bow-Tie Nebula
- Cave Nebula
- Elephant's Trunk Nebula
- Garnet Star
- Iris Nebula
- RW Cephei
- Wizard Nebula
Everything in Cepheus · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits