Algol is the classic example of an eclipsing binary variable, where the close orbits of 2 stars passing by each other lead to a variation in magnitude.
| Algol | | |
| Mag. 2-3 | Perseus (beta) | |
| The Greeks associated this star with the head of Medusa. Our
present name for the star comes from the Arabic (SCI) "Ras Al Ghul" or "The Demon's Head". Note, the derivation of the
English word "ghoul" is from Arabic. Algol is the classic example of an eclipsing binary variable, where the close orbits of 2 stars passing by each other lead to a variation in magnitude. | ||
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