variable star Algol

E554036

Variable star Algol is a famous eclipsing binary system in the constellation Perseus whose periodic dimming made it one of the first known variable stars.

All labels observed (2)

Label Occurrences
Algol star system 1
variable star Algol canonical 1

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf eclipsing binary star system
main-sequence star
spectroscopic binary
subgiant star
variable star
apparentMagnitudeAtMaximum 2.1
apparentMagnitudeAtMinimum 3.4
apparentMagnitudeRange 2.1–3.4
catalogIdentifier BD+40 673
HD 19356
HIP 14576
HR 936
component Algol A
linked to: Algol

Algol B
linked to: Algol

Algol C
constellation Perseus
declination +40° 57′ 20″
discovererOfVariability Gemini astronomer Geminiano Montanari
distanceFromEarth about 28 parsecs
about 90 light-years
hasCulturalAssociation Medusa’s head in Greek mythology
linked to: Gorgoneion

considered an unlucky or demon star in historical astrology
lightCurveFeature primary eclipse causes major dimming
secondary eclipse causes minor dimming
mass about 0.8 solar masses
about 1.7 solar masses
about 3.4 solar masses
massTransfer occurs from Algol B to Algol A
orbitalPeriodOfInnerBinary about 2.867 days
orbitalPeriodOfOuterComponent about 1.86 years
otherName Beta Persei
Demon Star
β Persei
linked to: Beta Persei
period about 2.867 days
phenomenon Algol paradox
primaryEclipseDuration about 10 hours
radius about 2.9 solar radii
about 3.5 solar radii
rightAscension 03h 08m 10.1s
spectralType A7 V
B8 V
K2 IV
variabilityRecognizedIn 17th century
variableStarDesignation Beta Persei
variableType EA (Algol-type eclipsing binary)
wasOneOfFirstKnown eclipsing binaries
periodic variable stars

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Perseus constellation notableFor variable star Algol
Phantasy Star setting Algol star system
linked to: variable star Algol