Splitting Antares

Liz · #1 13-09-2010, 06:17 PM

How hard is this to do?

I had a go Saturday night, with a 4.7mm EP in my 10" Dob - should have got it but dont think i did.
I thought I may have had it, but Carl (remormalised) had a look and reckoned it wasnt.
Have many of you been able to split it? How close to Antares it it - would a 10mm been better?
Thanks

asimov (John) · #2 13-09-2010, 06:26 PM

Yes I've split it a number of years ago visually in a 6" achro refractor.

Liz · #3 13-09-2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimov

Yes I've split it a number of years ago visually in a 6" achro refractor.

doh ... i should have got it then.

Thanks John ... i will definitely concentrate on this one .... when hte clouds go.

asimov (John) · #4 13-09-2010, 06:38 PM

Antares B (the companion) is only 2.9 arcseconds away so I had to use an 'off sided' aperture mask to cut down on the glare of the main star washing out the visual split. Rotate the mask until the glare was not apparent on one side of Antares where it's companion was lurking. Can't remember what magnification I used now. You'll certainly need good seeing & Antares high in the sky.

After that, try splitting Sirius

Liz · #5 13-09-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimov

Antares B (the companion) is only 2.9 arcseconds away so I had to use an 'off sided' aperture mask to cut down on the glare of the main star washing out the visual split. Rotate the mask until the glare was not apparent on one side of Antares where it's companion was lurking. Can't remember what magnification I used now. You'll certainly need good seeing & Antares high in the sky.

aaah ... thanks Asi, so not as easy as I may have thought.
Havent got an aperture mask, but will perservere. Thankyou.

The Mekon (John Briggs) · #6 13-09-2010, 07:13 PM

Done many times in my 5" refractor.
The clearest split was in conditions many would not even want to observe in. A gibbous moon with a light high cloud cover. The split was so clear and the components very distinct.

I suggest with your 10" to observe at twilight. Anatres is higher at twilight right now, and the primary will not be so bright - the 10" can make it too bright!

Liz · #7 13-09-2010, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Mekon

Done many times in my 5" refractor.
The clearest split was in conditions many would not even want to observe in. A gibbous moon with a light high cloud cover. The split was so clear and the components very distinct.

I suggest with your 10" to observe at twilight. Anatres is higher at twilight right now, and the primary will not be so bright - the 10" can make it too bright!

Thanks John ... will try that, alas a giant grapefruit tree in the west, but hopefully can work around it.

asimov (John) · #8 13-09-2010, 09:01 PM

Never thought of that John. Thanks from me as well. Makes sense though - It's all about cutting through the glare/brightness of the parent.

orestis · #9 14-09-2010, 04:48 PM

I have been able to split it in my 5'' reflector at about 250x magnification.

You have to be fairly patient as even in good conditions antares glare is very bright and the companion is lost in a sea of rippling light.

keep trying
regards orestis

gbeal · #10 14-09-2010, 07:31 PM

I have managed it with my ED80/840, but know from bitter experience that it really is seeing dependent. Some nights even my 10" won't do it. The companion either follows or leads, follows IIRC.
Gary

pgc hunter · #11 14-09-2010, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liz

How hard is this to do?

I had a go Saturday night, with a 4.7mm EP in my 10" Dob - should have got it but dont think i did.
I thought I may have had it, but Carl (remormalised) had a look and reckoned it wasnt.
Have many of you been able to split it? How close to Antares it it - would a 10mm been better?
Thanks

I Never saw it. Although recently I have seen a small dot in that mass of atmospheric diffraction only since the scope was converted to sdm.

RobF (Rob) · #12 18-09-2010, 06:37 PM

I think it is tricky, and you'll need to get your vanes orientated correctly too Liz. I couldn't see it in a 32" dob at the south pacific star when others could clearly see - didn't want to hog the ladder for too long though.....

From how it was described its a faint sucker....

Liz · #13 20-09-2010, 06:27 PM

Thanks guys. I will keep on at it, but very clouded out still.

Just had our wettest September day on record ...

astroron (Ron) · #14 20-09-2010, 07:01 PM

Liz, When I brought my 20cm Celestron SCT back from the USA in 1990 Antares B was easily seen, but today it is difficult to Observe even in the 40cm

I don't think it has much of a proper motion, I think it may be the result of very Crap seeing

Keep trying, you will catch it on a good night

casstony · #15 27-09-2010, 03:13 PM

I've found that a green filter makes it easier to see the companion.

Liz · #16 27-09-2010, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroron

Liz, When I brought my 20cm Celestron SCT back from the USA in 1990 Antares B was easily seen, but today it is difficult to Observe even in the 40cm

Thats amazing Ron, so really need very good seeing, which could be tonight as clear, but about to head to work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by casstony

I've found that a green filter makes it easier to see the companion.

Hmmm.... sounds a goof tip, thanks Tony.

Starkler (Geoff) · #17 27-09-2010, 06:13 PM

Doesnt need a very big scope but it does need good seeing with Antares up high.

Its freaky because the redness of Antares makes the companion star look green visually.

M54 (Molly) · #18 27-09-2010, 07:40 PM

Thanks for the question Liz, and thanks to everyone for the great tips.

I'm filing the info away for when I can afford a barlow and higher mag. eyepiece.

MLyons (Martin) · #19 27-09-2010, 11:37 PM

Saw it clearly at 800x in the 16"

Starkler (Geoff) · #20 28-09-2010, 11:50 AM

Easily seen at 150x if the seeing is good enough and your mirror is at ambient.