multicoloured star?

[nightwatcher22]

hi,

ive been watching what I presume to be a star that's baffling me and I would really appreciate your help.

it appears to change colours very quickly, from green/purple/red/yellow. its not almach (the twin stars), but at around 10 pm its just bellow and moving west to east, it also seems to be on its own and travels reasonably quickly in comparison. (its not a plane, ha!) I cant seem to find it on any star map. Has anyone else seen this? im in the uk, kent, where its extremely visible once you've focused on it. I would love to know what it is?!

thanks guys! freya

[ghostdance]

You're looking North/ North East to see Almaak/Almach?

Assuming it's a star and not a (say) helicopter or the like, I can only think it's Algol (the demon star) in Perseus...or possibly Mirphak. Colours caused by atmospheric currents etc.

Its movement would be Eastwards. But from your description, it sounds like you think its moving independently?

Welcome on your first post by the way

[Cornelius Varley]

If it is star like and visibly moving west -east then it is not a star. Could be a satellite, possibly an iridium flare but not a star.

[nightwatcher22]

Its currently (viewed from southern England)  just slightly north east according to my cheap magnetic compass having moved perhaps 10 degrees from slightly north west  in 2hrs (so not an aeroplane) it is about 20 degrees up from horizon (just above tree level for me ) it has been doing this for over a week.

I'm sure that any one looking into northern sky would see it straight away and after only a few minutes watching would be aware of it movement-would really like to know what is as I cant find it on any sky maps but I am pretty rubbish  at reading them -thanks  

[ghostdance]

Thanks for clarifying, Freya - OK, I see it (or at least I see a bright flashing star as you describe in the location you give)....checking visually with binoculars (tracking down from Cassiopeia and across from Mirphak) and using Stellarium to confirm, it's Capella. Its multi-coloured flashing is an atmospheric effect as it's comparatively low.

[ronin]

Capella is "colourful".

It is actually a close double where both stars are of similar size and similar temperature - but not quite the same temperture. So what you get is the refraction from 2 stars of slightly different spectrum, and basically it goes nuts.

If I recall someone's daughter here on SGL described it as "That crazy disco star".

Just posted for someone else, but if interested in coloured doubles try Delaware, nothing serious but a fun list to work through.