[Bombardon (Eugene)]

Sometimes I give my eyes a rest from faint fuzzies and get back to a very popular astro viewing sport of yesteryear!
These double stars were viewed from my back yard on February 10th 2016 between 10 and 11 p.m. local time. Viewing conditions as follows:
Seeing 8/10; transparency 7/10. Towards the end of viewing time dew increased and seeing was reduced to 5/10. Telescope 10” F5. Doubles are selected on ease of separation for small to moderate scopes and with particularly attractive colours or contrasts. Separations and magnitude are based on estimates by Sissy Hass in her S&T publication “Double Stars for Small Telescopes,”
1)Alpha Gem.(Castor).RA 7h 34.6m; Dec+ 31° 33’. Sep. 4.2”; Mag. 1.9/3.0.
This is regarded as Gemini’s finest double with the primary clearly white and a pinkish tinge to the secondary. Used X 150 for a comfortable split.
2)Delta Gem(Wasat), RA 7h 29.1m; Dec+ 21° 59’;Sep.5.8”; Mag. 3.6/8.2
This is a pretty orange star with both blue and grey companions nearby. (Easy.)
3)63Gem. RA 7h 27.7m;Dec+21.27’;Sep.43”;Mag. 5.3/10.9. X150 required to pick out this faint companion with the primary white and its tiny gray gem just visible in my skies. Lying near The ‘Clown’ or ‘Eskimo’ pn, NGC 2392 and one of the stars of a wide triangle used to locate this mysterious nebula.
4)Epsilon(Mebsuta), RA 6h23.5; Dec+25.08°;Sep110’; Mag.3/9
Very easy split X60; Deep Orange and Light Blue. Nice colour and brightness contrast.
5) Nu Gem(18). RA 6h29’;Dec+20° 13’;Sep 111.6”;Mag4.1/8. Primary Gold and two violet/grey companions are noted wide at X60. Beautiful contrast.
6)15 Gem. RA 6h 27.8’; Dec +20°47’. Sep 25.2”; Mag 6.7/8.2. This is a rich field at low power that takes in both Nu(18) and a yellow star Gem16. 15 Gem sits central, an Orange and Blue contrast at X60 power. Worth the hunt!
7) Pi Gem.RA 7h.47.5’;Dec.+33° 25’; Sep. 19.3”;Mag.3.1/11.4. Although a bit far north in my skies, I have included it as it stands out in a small cluster a few degrees NW of Castor. At low power X60 this is a Gold and Blue stunner.
Gemini is at its highest on the east coast midmonth at about 11 p.m. and March midmonth at approx. 9 p.m. All colour estimates are my own.