Albireo in the constellation Cygnus, which appears as a single star to the naked eye, is actually a beautiful double-star system, as shown in FIGURE 30-24. The brighter of the two stars is referred to as A (or Beta-01 Cygni), with a surface temperature of TA = 4700 K; its companion is B (or Beta-02 Cygni), with a surface temperature of TB = 13,000 K.

(a) When viewed through a telescope, one star is a brilliant blue color, and the other has a warm golden color, as shown in the photo. Is the blue star A or B? Explain.

(b) What is the ratio of the peak frequencies emitted by the two stars, (Æ’A / Æ’B)?

Figure 30-24, The double star Albireo in the constellation Cygnus.