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A Video of Albireo
Here is a video view of the double star Albireo located in the constellation Cygnus. The software packaged Backyard EOS was used to capture Albireo using the planetary video feature at 5x magnification. Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO Refractor, Canon 6D stock camera, ISO 3200, guided using a ZWO ASI290MC and Orion 60mm guide scope. Image date: September 19, 2018. Location: The Dark Side Observatory, Weatherly, PA, USA.
Double Star Albireo (Beta Cygni) and Measurements Using Tycho
Double Star Albireo (Beta Cygni) and Measurements Using Tycho
Albireo (or Beta Cygni) is the 5th brightest star in the constellation Cygnus. Albireo appears to the naked eye to be a single star, but even through a modest telescope you will see a beautiful double star. The brighter yellow star is also a close binary system. The two stars are striking in their color contrast. This was the first double star I ever looked at as a young amateur astronomer in the 1970’s.
Burnham states “Albireo is one of the most beautiful double stars in the sky, considered by many observers to be the finest in the heavens for the small telescope. The brighter star is a golden yellow or ‘topaz’, magnitude 3.09, the ‘sapphire’ companion is magnitude 5.11. The separation is 34.3 seconds, an easy object for the low power telescope”. Burnham’s Celestial Handbook, Robert Burnham Jr., Volume 2.
I used the software package TYCHO to try and measure the separation and position angle. My estimates using 60 x 5 second exposures were 38.2” and a PA of 53.3 degrees. The listed statistics I found online are 35.3” and a PA of 54 degrees. If anyone else is using Tycho for double stars I’d love to hear your process.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO ASI2600MC camera running at 0F, 60 x 5 second exposures, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO EAF and ASIAir Pro, processed in Tycho. Image Date: August 23, 2024. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
Burnham states “Albireo is one of the most beautiful double stars in the sky, considered by many observers to be the finest in the heavens for the small telescope. The brighter star is a golden yellow or ‘topaz’, magnitude 3.09, the ‘sapphire’ companion is magnitude 5.11. The separation is 34.3 seconds, an easy object for the low power telescope”. Burnham’s Celestial Handbook, Robert Burnham Jr., Volume 2.
I used the software package TYCHO to try and measure the separation and position angle. My estimates using 60 x 5 second exposures were 38.2” and a PA of 53.3 degrees. The listed statistics I found online are 35.3” and a PA of 54 degrees. If anyone else is using Tycho for double stars I’d love to hear your process.
Tech Specs: Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED Telescope, ZWO ASI2600MC camera running at 0F, 60 x 5 second exposures, Celestron CGEM-DX pier mounted, ZWO EAF and ASIAir Pro, processed in Tycho. Image Date: August 23, 2024. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
Beautiful Albireo (Beta Cygni)
Beautiful Albireo (Beta Cygni)
Albireo (or Beta Cygni) is the 5th brightest star in the constellation Cygnus. Albireo appears to the naked eye to be a single star, but even through a modest telescope you will see a beautiful double star. The brighter yellow star is also a close binary system. The two stars are striking in their color contrast. This was the first double star I ever looked at as a young amateur astronomer in the 1970’s.
Burnham states “Albireo is one of the most beautiful double stars in the sky, considered by many observers to be the finest in the heavens for the small telescope. The brighter star is a golden yellow or ‘topaz’, magnitude 3.09, the ‘sapphire’ companion is magnitude 5.11. The separation is 34.3 seconds, an easy object for the low power telescope”. Burnham’s Celestial Handbook, Robert Burnham Jr., Volume 2.
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90 SCT Telescope, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO ASI2600MC camera running at 0F, 60 x 10 seconds, Celestron CGX-L pier mounted, ZWO EAF and ASIAir Pro, processed in DSS and PixInsight. Image Date: July 22, 2025. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
Burnham states “Albireo is one of the most beautiful double stars in the sky, considered by many observers to be the finest in the heavens for the small telescope. The brighter star is a golden yellow or ‘topaz’, magnitude 3.09, the ‘sapphire’ companion is magnitude 5.11. The separation is 34.3 seconds, an easy object for the low power telescope”. Burnham’s Celestial Handbook, Robert Burnham Jr., Volume 2.
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90 SCT Telescope, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO ASI2600MC camera running at 0F, 60 x 10 seconds, Celestron CGX-L pier mounted, ZWO EAF and ASIAir Pro, processed in DSS and PixInsight. Image Date: July 22, 2025. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
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