Astronomy and Space

Eta Cygni

Eta Cygni is a star in the northern constellation of Cygnus. It has the proper name Almighzal; Eta Cygni is its Bayer designation, which is Latinized from η Cygni and abbreviated Eta Cygni or η Cyg. This star visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of 3.889. It lies along the main body of the constellation, about midway between Gamma Cygni and Albireo. Based upon an annual parallax shift of 23.55 mas, it is located at a distance of 138.5 light-years (42.5 pc) from the Sun. This is an evolved red clump giant star with a stellar classification of K0 III. It is presently on the horizontal branch and is generating energy through the nuclear fusion of helium at its core. The star has about 0.9 times the mass of the Sun and has expanded to 10 time the Sun's radius. It radiates 60 times the solar luminosity from its outer atmosphere at an effective temperature of 4,780 K. Eta Cygni has five visual companions, of which only component B appears to be physically associated. This magnitude 12.0 star lies at an angular separation of 7.80 arc seconds along a position angle of 206°, as of 2007. Al-Mighzal (المِغْزَل), the Wool Spindle, is an Arabic name for the "Northern Cross" of Cygnus, used in oral tradition in Saudi Arabia. The IAU Working Group on Star Names adopted the name Almighzal for this star on 16 July 2026.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸35 Arietis
• ▸Arbor Hill Historic District–Ten Broeck Triangle
• ▸36 Draconis

Uncatalogued shelf

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