68 Herculis — Variable Star in Hercules
Excellent (70/100)
Observe
1Physical Properties
Magnitude
4.82
Range
4.7 - 5.4
Period
2.1 days
Variable Type
Eclipsing Binary (Algol-type)
Spectral Type
B1.5Vp+B5III
Star Color
Blue
(B-V -0.17)
Distance
362 ly
2Position & Identifiers
RA
17h 17m 19.5s
Dec
+33° 06' 00.0"
Constellation
Hercules
(Her)
HR
6431
HIP
84573
HD
156633
SAO
65913
Flamsteed
68 Her
Variable ID
u Her
Double Cat
10449
Querying VizieR catalog...
3How easy to follow?
Magnitude
4.7 – 5.4 mag
Amplitude
0.7 mag
Period
2.05 d
Type
EA/SD
Sign in
and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.
| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Hard | Hard | V. hard+ |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Easy
Medium
Hard
Very hard
Impossible
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
Best season
May – Jul
(peak: Jun)
5Survey Image
Loading survey image…
6Light Curve
7Comparison Stars for 68 Her (4.7–5.4)
Nearby stable stars for estimating brightness (AAVSO)
Loading comparison stars…
Explore
8
Size Comparison
Querying VizieR for stellar data…
9
Compare Stars
10
Spectral Classification
11
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
Loading HR diagram…
12
Stellar Lifecycle
13
Blackbody Spectrum
14
Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
15
Stellar Fusion
Discover
16Stellar Notes
ADS 10449A, EA 4.69 - 5.37V, 2.0510270d. i 75.9d. Semi-detached system. Polarization measures indicate light from | primary reflected on photosphere of secondary.
Binary.
ADS 10449A, B2.5V, B5V, 2.0510d, K 95.6k/s, V0 -30.0k/s, msin3i 7.16, asini 2.69. Semi-detached system. vsini of | secondary 88k/s.
0.010".
17
Light Travel Time Machine
18
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.
Explore Nightbase
Related knowledge, tools, and stories — no observation planning required.
Arthur Eddington
1919 eclipse expedition confirming general relativity; first theory of stellar interiors; the Eddington limit
Biography
Variable Stars — A Guide for Observers
A practical guide to visual observation of variable stars: estimating magnitudes, finding comparison stars, recording data, and contributing to science with AAVSO.
Article
Hercules
Mythology, bright stars, and deep-sky highlights.
Constellation
