Albireo, Beta Cygni (β Cyg) is the primary component in a multiple star system located in the constellation Cygnus. It appears as an optical double star in small telescopes. With an apparent magnitude of 2.90, it is the fifth brightest star in Cygnus and the faintest of the stars that form the Northern Cross. Albireo lies at an approximate distance of 415 light years from Earth. It is one of the best-known contrasting double stars in the sky and a popular target for amateur astronomers.