Algol, the demon star

Published: Sept. 12, 2021, 5 a.m.

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What would you think of a star that blinks? Maybe you'd think there's something sinister about it. That's how Algol got its name. It's from Arabic for the demon. To the ancient Greeks, Algol was a blinking eye of Medusa. Before that, the ancient Egyptians may have thought of the star as a bringer of luck--good or bad depending on when the eye of Horus looked upon them. Algol still blinks. Listen to this podcast to understand why and then go see it for yourself.

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Neptune is at opposition this week. Mercury's at greatest elongation. Mars remains hidden. Jupiter and Saturn dominate most of the night.

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