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Old 12-02-2016, 05:21 PM
Bombardon (Eugene)
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Star Doubles in Gemini



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.
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Old 12-02-2016, 11:06 PM
bigjoe (JOSEPH)
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doubles

Hello Eugene.

"Very popular astro viewing sport of yesteryear"! O yes, I remember the day! When it wasn't beneath some amateurs to look through EP's even.

Who knows; maybe the long lost pastime of observing some doubles in one's routine will come back...Buckley's!!

Still I will try to include some in all my observing for a night.

Pity it seems though not tonight- with all the cloud!!

bigjoe.
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Old 13-02-2016, 08:50 AM
Bombardon (Eugene)
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Thanks for your encouragement, Joe. I think the occasional double is a good start for beginners too as it helps in map orientation and reading. Sorry about your clouds last night. I was sure I had sent you up a bit of clear sky from the coast Had to take the night off: too much gardening
Cheers for now.
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Old 13-02-2016, 06:20 PM
bigjoe (JOSEPH)
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Yes Eugene!

Beginners could well learn the night sky, just by finding and observing doubles in their nightly routines.

Now- no clouds so far Hmm.

bigjoe.
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