SS Cygni — Variable Star in Cygnus

Observable Variable Star Excellent (73/100)

Range: 7.7 - 12.4, Period: 6.6h, Type: UGSS

VariableStar Cygnus (Cyg) Visible

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1Physical Properties

Magnitude 8.00

Range 7.7 - 12.4

Period 6.6 hours

Variable Type Dwarf Nova (SS Cygni-type)

Spectral Type Peculiar

2Position & Identifiers

RA 21h 42m 43.0s

Dec +43° 35' 10.0"

Constellation Cygnus (Cyg)

HR 9134

Variable ID SS Cyg

3How easy to follow?

Magnitude 7.7 – 12.4 mag Amplitude 4.7 mag Period 6.6 h Type UGSS

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Equipment	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
Naked eye Naked eye	Imp.	Imp.	Imp.
50 mm finder 50mm finder	Imp.	Imp.	Imp.
150 mm telescope 150mm scope	Hard+	Hard	V. hard+

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

To reach "Medium" at Bortle 3, you'd need at least a 170 mm reflector.

4Visibility

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Best season Jul – Sep (peak: Aug)

5Light Curve

6Comparison Stars for SS Cyg (7.7–12.4)

Nearby stable stars for estimating brightness (AAVSO)

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7

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8

Spectral Classification

9

Stellar Lifecycle

10

Blackbody Spectrum

11

Stellar Absorption Spectrum

Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.

12

Stellar Fusion

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13Stellar Notes

Variable Star

Dwarf Nova; U Geminorum type; Outbursts every 7-8 weeks

Survey Image

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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.

Semi-regular variable, range 5.1–6.8

Variable Star mag 5.53 2.1° Cygnus

Semi-regular variable, range 5.9–7.1

Variable Star mag 6.17 2.2° Cygnus

Emission nebula — try an OIII filter

Emission Nebula mag 10.0 4.1° Cygnus

Open Cluster mag 7.2 4.2° Cygnus

Eclipsing binary, period 2.0d

Variable Star mag 6.11 5.1° Lacerta

Semi-regular variable, range 5.6–7.0

Variable Star mag 6.07 8.1° Cygnus

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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.

Mythology, bright stars, and deep-sky highlights.

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