1 Introduction
The chart below shows five targets in the summer constellations Aquila, Delphinus and Sagitta, for observation with the naked eye or with binoculars. It was prepared with Stellarium, SkyChart and Canva; the legend distinguishes targets for the naked eye, binoculars and a telescope.
2 The chart
[Image: Sky chart of Aquila, Delphinus and Sagitta with the five targets marked]Figure 1: Alpha Aquilae, Zeta Aquilae, Epsilon Delphini, Gamma Delphini and Gamma Sagittae
Chart prepared with Stellarium.
3 The targets
3.1 Gamma Sagittae
Located in the arrow-shaped constellation Sagitta, Gamma Sagittae is a red giant with a distinct orange hue. At about 260 light years, it marks the shaft of the arrow and is easily visible without optical aid.
3.2 Gamma Delphini
A double star in Delphinus, Gamma Delphini is best observed with binoculars or a small telescope. The system consists of a yellow and an orange star, which contrast in colour.
3.3 Epsilon Delphini
Epsilon Delphini (Deneb Dulfim) is a blue-white giant and the brightest star of the small constellation Delphinus. About 358 light years from Earth, it marks the tip of the dolphin's tail and is easily seen with the naked eye.
3.4 Zeta Aquilae
Part of the constellation Aquila, Zeta Aquilae is a binary system about 83 light years away. To the naked eye it appears as a single star; binoculars reveal a slight difference in colour between its components.
3.5 Alpha Aquilae
Alpha Aquilae (Altair) is a white star, the twelfth brightest in the night sky, and one corner of the Summer Triangle. At 17 light years, it is one of the closest bright stars to Earth. It rotates so rapidly that it bulges at its equator.