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XVII. 
ON THE VARIABLE STAR CEPHEI. By J. E. GOEE, 
E.R.A.S. 
[Read April 9, 1888.] 
This interesting variable — the ''garnet star" of Sir W. Herschel — 
was found to be variable by Hind in 1848, and the variability was 
confirmed by Argelander, who made numerous observations of it in 
the years 1848 to 1864. According to Schonfeld {Zweiter Catalog 
von verdnderlichen Sternen, 1875), Argelander's observations give the 
formulae — 
Epoch E. Min. 1855, Oct. 15-6 ; Max. 1856, June 20-1 + 431'i-786E. 
I have observed the star for a number of years, and find it cer- 
tainly variable to the extent of a little over one magnitude, but with 
no regular period. The period of 431-786 days, given in Argelander's 
formula, is not confirmed by my observations, which, I think, show 
that the variation cannot be represented by any fixed or mean period. 
The following are all my observations of the star to the end of 1887. 
Its red colour, and at times strong scintillation, render a correct esti- 
mate of its magnitude somewhat difficult. My comparison stars are as 
follows, and the magnitude of these are assumed from the measures in 
the " Harvard Photometry " : — 
CoMPAEisoN Stabs for fx Cephei. 
Mag. H. P. 
^ Cephei, 3-54 
€ Cephei, 4-24 
V (10) Cephei, . . . . . 4-50 
9 Cephei, 4-79 
X Cephei, 5-29. 
The position of /x, Cephei is for 1890*0, E. A. 2P 40"^ S% N. 58°-16''5. 
The observations were chiefly made with a binocular field-glass, hav- 
ing object-glasses of 2 inches aperture, and power of about 6 diameters. 
Occasionally, when near a maximum, the star was also observed with 
the naked eye. Argelander's method was employed. 
