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Gamma Delphini

12 Delphini

Orange and bright yellow double star in Delphinus

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Proper Name	None
Bayer Designation	Gamma^1,2 Delphini
Flamsteed Number	12 Delphini
HR (BSC)	7947 (Gamma¹), 7948 (Gamma²)
HD	197963 (Gamma¹), 197964 (Gamma²)
Constellation	Delphinus
Right Ascension	20h 46m 39s (Gamma¹), 20h 46m 40s (Gamma²)
Declination	+16° 7' 27" (Gamma¹), +16° 7' 27" (Gamma²)
Distance	116 light years 36 parsecs
Magnitude	Apparent: +5.09 (Gamma¹), +4.26 (Gamma²) Absolute: +2.15 (Gamma¹), +1.32 (Gamma²)
Spectral Class	F7V bright yellow dwarf (Gamma¹) K1IV orange subgiant (Gamma²)
Planets in this system	Gamma² Delphini b, gas giant (unconfirmed)
Optimum Visibility	August

The designation given to a double star that marks the 'nose' of Delphinus the Dolphin. Gamma Delphini consists of two binary systems about 1.5 light years apart, but some 116 light years from Earth.

The two stars of the Gamma Delphini system are barely distinguishable in this image, but zooming in on the star will show that its vertical diffraction spike actually divides into two. The brighter of the two component spikes (to the east or left) represents Gamma² Delphini, the brighter of the pair, while the fainter spike (to the west or right) relates to Gamma¹ Delphini. Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

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