[Tropo-Bob (Bob)]

I observed the easy double Gamma Virgo last night. It was not so easy 20 years ago when I scrambled to have a look at the rapidly closing divide. Then for many years, nothing, except a signal star. There is indeed movement in the heavens!

This is the fourth binary where I have seen movement. Many like me, will have observed Alpha Centauri become much closer over the years.

Some binaries have become easier though. When I first observed in the late 1960s, I also swung my 60mm scope to observe the easy double Castor. It unfortunately was lousy timing, as it was near it minimum separation during its 400-odd hundred year orbit. Now of course, it is easy. I also had a similar experience with 70 Orp, from the 1970s.