The Double-Double (Epsilon Lyrae): This famous multiple system lies in the same finderscope field as dazzling Vega, making it a snap to locate. Here you’ll find two very widely separated stars that are readily resolved with the slightest magnification. A 3- or 4-inch telescope at 100× shows both of them in turn to be very close, roughly matched white pairs. Both binaries have periods measured in hundreds of centuries, and together they’re orbiting around a common center of gravity with a period that may be as much as a million years! Quadruple systems are relatively rare, and this celebrated object is certainly one of the finest in the heavens.

Alya (Theta Serpentis): This pretty, nicely separated double is situated just west of the bright star Altair. Consisting of two nearly matched suns, it’s easily resolved even in a 2-inch (or 60-mm) telescope at 25×, while the view in a 4-inch at 50× is truly stunning. Here is a case where the stars show no color contrast; both look pure white to me. They’re gliding through space together as a common-proper-motion duo. Although this double is largely overlooked today, past observers raved about Alya, calling it “elegant,” “noble,” “exquisite,” “superb,” and an “imperial pair in regal setting!” — proving that even colorless doubles can be beautiful sights.

Albireo (Beta Cygni): Ask a seasoned stargazer to name the most beautiful double star in the sky, and the answer will almost certainly be Albireo. You’ll find it at the foot of the Northern Cross in Cygnus, located in the midst of the Summer Triangle formed by Vega, Deneb, and Altair. If you think stars don’t have color, then just take a peek at this tinted gem! The primary is a rich golden orange, and its fainter companion shines with clear sapphire blue light. These heavenly hues are real — they’re not just a contrast effect. Albireo is a wide double; even a 2-inch-aperture scope at 25× resolves it beautifully and shows the vivid color contrast. Both of its suns lie roughly the same distance from us, floating against the rich backdrop of the Milky Way as another common-proper-motion pair.

Omicron-1 Cygni: This striking system lies just west of Deneb and consists of three widely separated stars of differing brightnesses and colors. A 3-inch aperture at 30× provides a superb view. The hues here are very patriotic — “red” (actually ruddy orange), white, and blue! This is one of the easiest, brightest, and most colorful triple stars found anywhere in the sky.