Three years ago during the Perseid meteor watch, observers were able to catch the long period variable star Chi Cygni overhead, shining at magnitude 3.5 – the brightest it had been in decades. This year, alas, Chi will be at minimum during the Perseid shower but observers can scan the western sky for R CrB, a variable star in the constellation of Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown.

R CrB fades and brightens suddenly! Most of the time it is between magnitude 5 amd 6, a naked eye object if you know where to look. It has been beyond the reach of 12″ telescopes for the last two years, but you never know when it may pop back into view!