ο Ceti (Mira)
Constellation: Cet
Object Type: Variable Star
RA: 2h 19m 20s
Dec: -2° 58' 42"
Magnitude: 6.5
Recommended minimum aperture: 50mm
Charts for 50mm Binocular (5° aperture circle). Click on a chart to print it.
Location:
Mira is 6 ° WSW of the 4th magnitude δ Ceti
What You Should See:
Mira can be traced throughout most of its period with medium sized binoculars. It is usually invisible to the naked eye, but its peak magnitude ranges from about 4th magnitude to brighter than 2nd magnitude (William Herschel noted that the 1799 maximum that rivaled Aldebaran in brightness). Mira has been known to be variable since 1596, prior to the first astronomical use of the telescope. It gives its name to a class of variable red giant stars that share the same characteristic variability.
Mean magnitude range: 3.6 - 9.3
Mean period: 334 days
Type: Mira
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