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LW Cyg

Irregularly Varying Red Star
HD 208512, HIP 108205, BD +49 03673, CCDM 21552+5030, TYC 03612-0332 1, GSC 03612-0332
Visual Magnitude: 9.2
Distance: 16000 ly

Minimum requirements to view: unaided eye and suburban sky

LW Cyg is a slowly varying "irregular" variable star that is known for its red hue. This carbon star varies from about 8.5 to 8.8 magnitude. Carbon stars are named for the relatively large amounts of carbon observed in their spectra.

This star is very cool, which makes it appear deep red in the telescope. One look at the field and it should jump right out at you.

While you are there, have a look for the 12th magnitude companion star some 84" away to the west. This pair is almost certainly not physical.


LW Cygni lies close to the Cygnus/Lacerta border. North is up and east is left.

The field in a 6" at 50x. North is down, east is right.
Millennium Star Atlas Vol III Chart 1104
Sky Atlas 2000 Chart 9
Uranometria 2000 Vol I Chart 57