#multiple star system

[quiltofstars]

The quintuple star system σ Orionis // Larry Ammann

σ Orionis is a five-star system consisting of five blue-white giant stars all located about 387 light years away.

[chibinotan]

Multiple Star System in Cluster

[stargateatlspace]

Hubble Discovery of Runaway Star Yields Clues to Breakup of Multiple-Star System

[mirkokosmos]

Alcyone

[quiltofstars]

The Ghost of Cassiopeia, Sh2-185 // Daniel Sha

The bright star at the top is Navi (γ Cassiopeiae), a multiple star system about 550 light years away. This star was used as a navigational reference during the early space missions, and so American astronaut Virgil Ivan "Gus" Grissom (1926-1967, Gemini 3, Apollo 1) named it after his own middle name spelled backwards.

[quiltofstars]

The Witch Head Nebula, IC 2118 // Edoardo

The bright star at the top right is Rigel (β Orionis) and is responsible for lighting up the Witch Head. Rigel is a multiple star system that lies about 850 light years distant. Its name comes from the Arabic phrase Rijl Jauzah al Yusrā meaning "the left leg of Jauzah."

[quiltofstars]

The Double Double, ε Lyrae // Carlos Rincón

ε Lyrae, also known as the Double Double, is a quintuple star system about 160 light years from Earth.

[quiltofstars]

The Blue Horsehead Nebula, IC 4592 // Laura Astronomie Pratique

The star that marks the “eye” of the horse is Jabbah (ν Scorpii), a septuple star system about 470 light years away from Earth. Its name comes from the Arabic phrase Iklīl al Jabhah meaning “the crown of the forehead.”