Epsilon Lyrae is the "Double Double", a fascinating multiple-star system in the constellation of Lyra.

It is located at a distance of 160 light-years from Earth.

Epsilon Lyrae is comprised of the wide pair Epsilon 1 and Epsilon 2, separated by 209 arcseconds (3.5 arcminutes). These stars are magnitude 4.67 and 4.56 and can be resolved by unaided eyes with sharp vision.

Each of these stars are themselves double stars, but the components are much closer together and require a telescope to be resolved.

The components of Epsilon 1 are labeled A and B, and are magnitudes 5.15 and 6.10 and are separated by 2.3 arcseconds.

The components of Epsilon 2 are labeled C and D, and are magnitudes 5.25 and 5.38 and are separated by 2.3 arcseconds.

Epsilon 1 and Epsilon 2 are oriented at almost right angles to each other.

All of the stars in the Epsilon Lyra quadruple system are part of the same physical system, and are gravitationally bound to each other, they are not a chance alignment.

In 1989 the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) discovered a fifth star that is part of the Epsilon Lyrae system. It is part of Epsilon 1 and separated by just 0.044 arcseconds. This star is not visible in the image above however and cannot be resolved with normal amateur telescopes.

Epsilon Lyrae was first noted as a double-double by William Herschel in 1779.

North is to the left in the above image.

Epsilon Lyrae Catalogs: Epsilon 1 Lyrae 4 Lyrae TYC 3122-3438-2 HIP 91919 HD 173582 BD +39 3509 Epsilon 2 Lyrae 5 Lyrae TYC 3122-3439-1 HIP 91926 HD 173607 BD +39 3510 Common Name: The Double Double Object Type: Multiple Star Magnitudes: Epsilon 1 Lyrae: 4.67 Epsilon 1 Lyrae A: 5.15 Epsilon 1 Lyrae B: 6.10 Epsilon 2 Lyrae: 4.56 Epsilon 2 Lyrae C: 5.25 Epsilon 2 Lyrae D: 5.38 Separations: Epsilon 1 / Epsilon 2: 3.5' Epsilon 1 Lyrae A/B: 2.3" Epsilon 2 Lyrae C/D: 2.3" Constellation: Lyra Image Field Centered At: RA: 18h 44m 49s Dec: +39° 38' 58"