Mu Cephei Deep Red Giant
What's in a Name: | Known as the "Garnet Star" because of its deep red color - one of the most intensely colored stars ever recorded when viewed through a telescope. |
Claim to Fame: | Famous variable star. Its brightness is 4 times greater at its maximum than at its minimum. |
Type of Star: | Red Giant (M2 Ia Spectral Class) |
How Far Away: | 1,550 light years away |
How Big: | 2536 times the solar radius. Would fill the orbit of Saturn. Could pack more than 1 billion suns into the same volume. |
How Bright: | 38,000 times brighter than the sun. Absolute visual magnitude, Mv =-6.7 |
Where to View: |
Located in the constellation of Cepheus ( |
When to View: | Best viewed from the Northern hemisphere during August through January |
Last modified January 17, 2006 by Travis Metcalfe.