Ruchbah — Star in Cassiopeia
HIP 6686; Delta Cassiopeiae; 37 Cassiopeiae
About Ruchbah
Description
Ruchbah is a white subgiant of spectral type A5III-IV at magnitude 2.68 in Cassiopeia. Located about 99 light-years from Earth, it has a luminosity of roughly 63 times solar. Ruchbah is the fourth star in Cassiopeia's W-shape, between the central Gamma Cas and the western Segin.
Observing Tips
Ruchbah is the second star from the right in Cassiopeia's W (moving from Schedar toward Segin). It is a white star embedded in rich Milky Way star fields. Cassiopeia is circumpolar from mid-northern latitudes. Best placed in the evening September through February.
History
The name Ruchbah comes from the Arabic 'rukbat dhat al-kursi,' meaning 'the knee of the seated woman,' referring to its position on Queen Cassiopeia's figure. It is an eclipsing binary with a very slight brightness variation.
Fun Facts
Ruchbah is an Algol-type eclipsing binary, but with such a small brightness variation (about 0.05 magnitude) that it is undetectable to the naked eye. This minimal eclipse depth suggests the orbital plane is only slightly inclined to our line of sight.
Observe
1Physical Properties
2Position & Identifiers
3How easy to spot?
| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Easy | Easy | Easy |
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
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5Survey Image
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Explore
7
Size Comparison
8
Compare Stars
9
Spectral Classification
10
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
11
Stellar Lifecycle
12
Blackbody Spectrum
13
Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
14
Stellar Fusion
Discover
15Stellar Notes
16
Light Travel Time Machine
17
Relativistic Travel
Nearby in the Sky
Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.
Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.
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