Carbon star - RS Cygni

Astronomical Observations & Research

			* * * Analysis, sky location and images for selected entries in my Red Stars Catalog * * * Carbon star - RS Cygni RS Cygni (RS Cyg) is a red tinted variable carbon star located in the richest part of the northern Milky Way in the constellation of Cygnus, the celestial Swan. It typically shines at around magnitude 8 in apparent brightness and can be easily found with binoculars, though a small telescope will be needed to bring out the star's deep reddish hue. This carbon star sits at the heart of Cygnus, and is best seen in the summer sky. RS Cyg is the middle star out of the trio shown in this close up photo [Credit: SIMBAD/Aladin Previewer] During a leisurely sweep along the dense Milky Way starfields on a warm summer's evening at low power, the red hue of this star makes it stand out from the glittering silver ones in its neighbourhood. It is important to be aware that because RS Cygni is positioned virtually on the galactic equator in the night sky, the star's apparent deep red colour is probably slightly accentuated by interstellar reddening. That is to say, the star "appears redder than it probably is". RS Cygni's brightness fluctuates over a period of around 400 days, it appearing a paler shade of red toward the faintest end of its cycle. My Catalog of the Reddest Stars Astronomical Observations & Research home page Copyright © 2004-2012 Abdul Ahad. All rights reserved.