| Binary
Star System
aka 12 Del, HR 7948, HD 197964, HIP 102532, BD +15 04255, ADS 14279, Struve 2727 RA: 20h46m39.5s Dec: +16°07'27" (Delphinus) Integrated Visual Magnitude: 4.3+5.3 Distance: 100 +/- 3.8 ly Minimum requirements to detect: any telescope under dark skies |
Burnham's
describes this pair as "the most attractive double star in Delphinus."
This pair of bright stars is easily located at the tip of the nose of the
Dolphin. The component stars are currently separated by a generous
14", making them visible in even the smallest of telescopes. Yet,
like other pretty double stars they can be appreciated in even the largest
of instruments. The image on the right simulates the view in a 90mm
ETX at high magnification under excellent conditions. The colors
reported for these two stars varies, but to my eye the primary star has
a rich golden hue, while the secondary is touched by just the slightest
bit of green.
The component stars of
Gamma Del form a physical pair that lie 100 light years distant.
Their orbital period is quite long, perhaps more than 3000 years.
As such, we have yet to observe much relative motion to base an orbit on.
| Millennium
Star Atlas Vol III Chart 1216
Sky Atlas 2000 Chart 16 Uranometria 2000 Vol I Chart 209 Herald-Bobroff Astroatlas B-05 C-21 |
