Contact StarDate | About StarDate | Friends of McDonald | Sign up for Sky Tips

»Keywords
	Constellation Guide Nearby Pegasus, the Flying Horse Auriga, the Charioteer Cassiopeia Keyword Search Find StarDate radio programs about: Aquila, the Eagle Auriga, the Charioteer Big Dipper Boøtes, the Herdsman Cancer, the Crab Canis Major, the Greater Dog Capricornus, the Sea-Goat Cassiopeia Cygnus, the Swan Delphinus, the Dolphin Gemini, the Twins Leo, the Lion Libra, the Scales Lyra, the Harp Orion, the Hunter Orion's Belt Pegasus, the Flying Horse Perseus Pisces, the Fish Sagittarius, the Archer Scorpius, the Scorpion Taurus, the Bull Ursa Major, the Great Bear Perseus, the Hero Perseus, the hero, arcs high overhead in fall and early winter. Many of its stars are immersed in the faint glow of our galaxy, the Milky Way. In fact, if you look at Perseus under dark skies, you may be able to see three of the spiral arms that enfold the Milky Way. One of the brightest and most interesting stars in Perseus is Algol. The name Algol means "demon star." Ancient skywatchers thought it was cursed because its brightness changes. That's because Algol — which is about 75 light-years from Earth — is the most famous "eclipsing binary" star. Today, astronomers know that Algol is two separate stars. About once every three days, the fainter member of the pair passes in front of the brighter one, and Algol grows fainter. A faint star cluster in Perseus, called M34 is visible with binoculars.
| Home | Site Map | Privacy | Copyright ©1995-2009 The University of Texas McDonald Observatory Información en español

Copyright ©1995-2006 The University of Texas McDonald Observatory. Material on this site may be linked to, quoted or reproduced for educational or personal purposes without prior permission, provided appropriate credit is given. Teachers, scout leaders, and others may distribute the material for classroom instruction or related educational purposes. The materials may not be sold or published in any other form without written permission from The University of Texas McDonald Observatory.