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Astronomy/Cygnus (the swan)
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Question
How many stars are in the constellation cygnus?
Hi Juliana,
Down to what magnitude (brightness)? There are thousands and thousands of stars visible in
even a small pair of binoculars because the summer Milky Way runs right down the length of the area we call Cygnus. But if you just mean the 'regular' naked eye stars, there are about 6 or 7 that delineate the "Northern Cross" pattern (the nickname of Cygnus) with the Milky Way running right down the length of the "cross" from NW to SE).
The "top" of the cross is marked by the bright first magnitude star Deneb (Alpha Cygni) with a long imaginary line down through Gamma, Eta, and ending at Beta Cygni. The "crosspiece" of the cross is marked by the stars (from southeast to northwest) are Epsilon, Gamma, and Delta Cygni. (Add in Zeta Cygni if you say "Cygnus", the Swan, but delete it if you're referring to just the "Northern Cross" asterism shape.) Zeta Cygni is part of Cygnus, but not... the 'cross'.
Beta Cygni, common name Albireo...watch that spelling there...it's ALBIREO...the bottom star of the cross, is renowned to be one of the prettiest easy double stars in our sky with a small telescope... blue and yellow companions separated by a wide 34 arc-seconds.
It's also interesting to note that Deneb, the bright first magnitude star in Cygnus, is the summer sky's finest example of a Blue White Supergiant at a distance of over 1500 light-years, unlike the 2 nearby bright stars Vega (Alpha Lyrae), and Altair (Alpha Aquilae) which are our "neighbors" at 26 and 16 lightyears respectively.
Hope this helps,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA USA
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Answers by Expert:
Tom Whiting
Expertise
Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years. Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions. No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.
Experience
Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.
Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.
Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).
Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions; Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).
Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.
Education/Credentials
BS Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA
Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.
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