Algol Minimum - may be visible this evening 10/11 Oct 2022

[Gfamily]

The eclipsing variable star Algol takes about 9 hours to complete the eclipse process from initial brightness, through the dip, and recovery to full brightness. 

WIth a period that's about 3hours and 20 minutes less than 3 days, it can be tricky to get a timing when both the max and minimum brightness can be seen on the same evening - at least without having to wait up until the early hours. 

However, this evening (10th to 11th October), there will be a minimum at 1am BST, so it may be possible to have a look at about 8pm, and then have another look at midnight. 

The magnitude should drop from 2.1 earlier in the evening to 3.4 by 1 am. 

To compare the brightness - the Sky at Night website suggests Gamma Andromedae (2.1) and Epsilon Persei (2.9) as both are relatively close-by. Alternatively, the two stars at each end of the W of Cassiopeia are similar magnitudes to the Max and Min (Caph at 2.2, and Segin at 3.3 respectively) .  https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/the-minima-of-algol/

Unfortunately, the nearby not-long-past Full Moon won't help. 

If tonight isn't good, another good chance might be on 5th November, when minimum will be at about 7:20pm, and full brightness should be restored by midnight. 

Edited October 11, 2022 by Gfamily

[Gfamily]

Well, it was pretty much clouded out here, and the Moon wouldn't have helped. 

Another look at the lunar calendar app advises that there will be a waxing gibbous moon on 5th November (as well as lots of fireworks and smoke here in UK), so maybe a better day will be towards the end of November, on 22/23rd - there be a minimum just after midnight on 23rd, and a New Moon later on the same day.