Digest Template: Category

September 22, 2021

Alpha Cephei, a fast-spinning star

Alpha Cephei, in the constellation Cepheus the King, is a bit of an enigma. It’s spinning so fast that it appears like a slightly flattened beach ball.

Bruce McClure

September 14, 2021

Fomalhaut, loneliest star, near Jupiter and Saturn in 2021

Fomalhaut is known as the “lonely one” or the "solitary one" as it shines brightly in a patch of sky with no other bright stars nearby.

September 9, 2021

Why 61 Cygni is nicknamed Flying Star

Compared to other stars, 61 Cygni moves quite rapidly against the background of more distant stars, revealing its proximity to Earth.

August 4, 2021

See Mira the Wonderful at its brightest

Catch elusive wonderful Mira, a famous variable star in the constellation Cetus, at its maximum brightness in August 2021. Now you see it ... now you don't!

August 3, 2021

Exquisite Albireo, a much-loved double star

Albireo, in the constellation Cygnus the Swan, is a favorite among stargazers. Through a small telescope, it appears as a stunning gold star with a dimmer blue companion.

Bruce McClure

July 31, 2021

Spica, bright beacon of Virgo, is 2 stars

Spica is a very close, scorching-hot pair of stars, whirling around one another. One may someday go supernova.

July 15, 2021

Summer Triangle star: Altair spins fast!

Altair is only 16.8 light-years from Earth, making it one of our closest stellar neighbors. It's variable in an usual way, and it spins fast!

July 8, 2021

Summer Triangle star: Deneb is distant and luminous

When you gaze at the bright star Deneb, Tail of the Swan, you’re gazing across thousands of light-years of space at one of the bright stars of the huge Summer Triangle asterism.