Delta Cepheus - The Prototype Cepheid Variable
Delta Cephei is a fabulous binary star that resides at 887 light years distant towards the constellation Cepheus. It is the first Cepheid Variable star to be identified and is the prototype of that classification. Being a Cepheid Variable, it changes in brightness over a stable period. These types of variable stars serve as standard candles for measuring distant galaxies. Visibly, Delta Cephei can be resolved as a binary star system, though spectroscopically four stars are present.
We captured this photo of Delta Cepheus at Frosty Drew Observatory on July 12, 2015 and frequently observe Delta Cepheus on Friday nights.
Gallery: Binary & Multi Star Systems
- Author:
- Scott MacNeill
- Entry Date:
- Jun 10, 2016
- Published Under:
- Scott MacNeill's Media