R Scuti — Variable Star in Scutum
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1Physical Properties
Magnitude
5.20
Range
4.2 - 8.6
Period
144 days
Variable Type
RV Tauri (Pulsating Supergiant)
Spectral Type
K0Ibp
Star Color
Red
(B-V 1.47)
Distance
3,262 ly
2Position & Identifiers
RA
18h 47m 29.0s
Dec
-05° 42' 18.0"
Constellation
Scutum
(Sct)
HR
7066
HIP
92202
HD
173819
SAO
142620
Variable ID
R Sct
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3How easy to follow?
Magnitude
4.5 – 8.2 mag
Amplitude
3.8 mag
Period
144.1 d
Type
RVA
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| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Imp. | Imp. | Imp. |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Easy | Medium+ | Medium |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Easy | Easy | Easy |
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
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6Light Curve
7Comparison Stars for R Sct (4.5–8.2)
Nearby stable stars for estimating brightness (AAVSO)
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8
Size Comparison
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9
Compare Stars
10
Spectral Classification
11
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
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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
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16Stellar Notes
Discovered by Pigott in 1795. RVa 4.45 - 8.20V, 140.05d, period varies. Variable He 10830 and Ti emission. Largest | intrinsic polarization in UV at minimum light. Light and RV periods differ.
Sct OB2.
H alpha emission. Also classified G0eIa-K0pIb.
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.
NGC 6704
Open cluster
Open Cluster
mag 9.2
1.0°
Scutum
S Sct
Semi-regular variable, range 6.6–7.3
Variable Star
mag 6.80
2.3°
Scutum
NGC 6712
Globular cluster — dense ball of ancient stars
Globular Cluster
mag 8.2
3.3°
Scutum
V Aql
Semi-regular variable, range 6.6–8.4
Variable Star
mag 6.90
4.2°
Aquila
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Article
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