Carbon stars RY Draconis and V Aquilae

Astronomical Observations & Research

			* * * Analysis, sky location and images for selected entries in my Red Stars Catalog * * * Carbon star - RY Draconis RY Draconis is a red tinted variable star located in the far northern constellation of Draco, the celestial Dragon. It normally shines at around magnitude 7, so can be easily picked up in binoculars. This carbon star (arrowed) is to be found north of the "Plough" (also called the "Big Dipper" in N. America). A close-up chart showing the two colour contrasting flanking stars, 8 and 9 Draconis, that lie on either side of RY Draconis in the same low-power field of view. Carbon star - V Aquilae V Aquilae is a red tinted variable star located in the equatorial constellation of Aquila, the celestial Eagle. Like with RY Draconis above, V Aquilae usually shines at around magnitude 7, so can be easily observed through binoculars. The star is best seen during the summer months, when Aquila is at its highest due south by the middle of the night. The European Space Agency's Hipparcos satellite astrometry mission of the 1990s revealed this star to be a close binary system. The two components are of similar brightness but separated by a mere 0.2 arcseconds, which means they cannot be resolved visually through any telescopes. V Aquilae shines at a rough distance of about ~1200 light years from the Earth. V Aquilae is easily found near the beak of the Eagle, as shown by the red arrow. This close-up field drawing (inverted, south being at the top) was made by the author on June 25th, 2004. My Catalog of the Reddest Stars Astronomical Observations & Research home page Copyright © 2004-2012 Abdul Ahad. All rights reserved.

Carbon star - RY Draconis

Carbon star - V Aquilae