Carbon Star CW Leonis

Photographer: Greg Parker   
Summary Authors: Greg Parker; Jim Foster

Featured above is the carbon star CW Leonis, found in the constellation of Leo the Lion, thought to be in the late stages of its lifetime. It lies approximately 310 light years from us. In the inset at lower right, its ruby red coloration is quite obvious. Carbon stars carry more carbon in their stellar atmospheres than oxygen. As with other carbon stars, CW Leonis is a variable star, having a cycle of about 160 days. Note that star SAO 98773, in the inset at upper left, though it looks very bright is much too dim to see with the unaided eye.

New Forest Observatory, Hampshire UK Coordinates: 51.063202, -1.308000

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