October’s Night Sky Notes: Spooky Stargazing
The Ghoul Located within the constellation Perseus lies a star called Algol, also known as ‘Demon Star’ or ‘The Ghoul’. You can spot this star during the autumn months, along with Cassiopeia and Andromeda in the northeastern sky, beginning after 9 PM. In Greek mythology, this star represents the ‘blinking eye’ of the gorgon Medusa. […]
October's Night Sky Notes: Spooky Stargazing
The Spitzer Space Telescope captured an infrared image of a cloud of gas and dust in the form of a Jack-o'-lantern Nebula. The unusual shape earned this region the nickname. Perseus houses the star Algol, also called the 'Demon Star' or 'The Ghoul'. During autumn evenings, after 9 PM, look for Cassiopeia and Andromeda in the northeastern sky.
In Greek mythology, Algol represents the gorgon Medusa's 'blinking eye'. This star is a triple-star system with multiple orbits. The eclipsing binary system causes Algol to dim from +2.1 to +3.4 magnitude every three days. Astronomers can track this pattern using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) data.
To locate Algol, use Cassiopeia and Andromeda as guides. By comparing its brightness to nearby Almach, you can determine its exact position. While the Witch Head Nebula, located between Eridanus and Orion, isn't visible to the naked eye, it can be spotted visually or photographed with a telescope. The Witch's Broom, part of the Western Veil Nebula in Cygnus, adds to the spooky celestial scenery.
Written by urgent.news from NASA's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- October’s Night Sky Notes: Spooky Stargazing science.nasa.gov
