Albireo Double Star

About this Image

Albireo (Beta Cygni) is the fifth brightest star in the constellation Cygnus at approximately 380 light-years away from the Earth.
When viewed with the naked eye, Albireo appears to be a single star. However, when viewed with a telescope it readily resolves into a double star, consisting of Albireo A (yellow, apparent magnitude 3.1), and Albireo B (blue, apparent magnitude 5.1.)

Separated by 35 seconds of arc, the two components provide one of the best contrasting double stars in the sky due to their distinct different colors.
North is up;