DOUBLE STARS -Some interesting ones

[bigjoe]

Here is a list of some fabulous double/multiple stars for anyone to enjoy; has anyone else been observing some of these as I do in between other objects,viz when no planets are around.

Alpha Crucis (thanks skysurfer)

H3945 CANIS MAJOR -Best?

Gamma Delphinus

54 Sagitarri blue gold

66 Ceti -orange blue-Yellow violet

Alpha centauri

Antares

Beta toucana 6 stars

Kappa Toucana 4 stars

Cor Caroli

Albireo

Gamma Andromedae (yellow/greenish)*- Almaak or Almach (thanks robh) fantastic double!

Rasalgethi (orange/greenish)-*AlphaHerculis

Castor (silver/silver)

95 Herculis (grape green/lemon yellow)*

Epsilon Bootis (IZAR ), (yellow/indigo
*blue) Fabulous

Double double- epsilon Lyrae

Iota Cancri- Superlative

Rho orionis

Gamma Leporis

Gamma velorum

Meissa* -(can see all 5)

Stf 973

Sigma Orionis- multiple

Lambda Orionis

Cor Caroli Alpha Canes -white olive

Stf 872 -auriga- gold blue

Eta Geminorum

Theta 2 Cancri

Gamma virginis -PORRIMA!


Theta Orionis -trapezium

Tegmen - Zeta Cancri

61 Cygni - like 2 oranges

Delta Cygni -white rose colours

Algieba-Gamma Leonis

94 Aqauri -rose emerald

Beta Monocerotis- AMAZING TRIPLE!!

54 leo

Zeta Cancri

Eta Persei- yellow blue- 4

Lambda ORIONIS

Xi Bootis

Beta Scorpi

Beta Capricorni

Delta Corvi

These are just some of the more easier ones
Antares is hard as is Sirius! And skysurfer has suggested Mizar great one if well north of sydney

bigjoe

[croweater]

Thanks for the excellent list Joe. Might have to have a go at a few. Cheers, Richard

[bigjoe]

No probs crow Richard.
Just off to bed and hope you enjoy some of their really incredible colour contrasts!!!
All the best bigjoe

[skysurfer]

Nice list !

You forgot two easy ones:

- Alpha Crucis
- Mizar (Zeta UMa).

These two, Cor Caroii, beta Cygni and alpha Centauri are even visible in full daylight. When you can find the star (using setting circles or a gto mount) the companion can be found as well, even with a small scope of 8cm.

The hard one (definitely NOT in daylight):

Sirius. The Pup is barely visible, even when high in the sky. Several attempts with my 11cm ED scope from a crystal clear South African sky failed :-(

[bigjoe]

Thanks skysurfer.:thumbsup:
Funny I left out Alpha Crucis:shrug:Will amend the list to include
But Mizar is almost below my horizon ;I never even can see it!!
bigjoe.

[bigjoe]

Amended list to include skysurfers suggestion of Alpha crucis
Mizar would be good for locations nearer northern NSW.
bigjoe

[gaseous]

Thanks bigjoe, great list. Been looking for a good double star list (and was just too damn lazy to search).

[bigjoe]

Glad I could help Pat.
Enjoy
bigjoe.

[Robh]

Very good list.

Almach is also gamma Andromedae.

Regards, Rob

[bigjoe]

Hi Rob and your quite right Almaak/ Almach are one and the same ! Will delete that duplicate.
Cheers bigjoe.

[bigjoe]

[B]Most of these doubles/multiples should be well within the reach of a good 90mm scope[/B ]especially during favourable sighting and seeing conditions.
bigjoe.

[Greenswale]

Great list!

And I support your candidate for best - 145 CMa, otherwise h3945. Surprising how few people are stunned when they view them for the first time, having not known about them.

When visible, the pair often becomes the last object I visit to conclude a viewing session. Sort of relaxation therapy......

[bigjoe]

Couldn't agree more Sir Christopher .
Once you start you'll be hooked! Even viewing Carbon Stars Viz. R Leporis "THE BLOOD STAR" near Orion and those CARBONS in doubles! Esp good if theres light pollution !!
bigjoe.

[bigjoe]

Some instruments used and some doubles info
http://www.brayebrookobservatory.org/BrayObsWebSite/HOMEPAGE/DOUBLESTARS.html

And http://www.eaglecreekobservatory.org/eco/doubles/

bigjoe.

[bigjoe]

SKYSCRAPERS .
ANOTHER GREAT LISTING if your bored.
http://www.theskyscrapers.org/double-stars

Hope this creates some interest!! ESP the article on h3945!!!
bigjoe
I

[grimsay]

Thanks bigjoe, wish I'd seen this last night but will get started tonight (hopefully).

+1 for 145 CMa in top spot, inspirational.

[bigjoe]

And good luck with it grimsay , as there are a lot of surprising doubles/multiples /Carbon stars out there!

bigjoe

[bigjoe]

SOME COLOUR CONTRASTS that you can expect to see.
http://www.jouscout.com/astro/belmont/belmontd.htm
bigjoe.

[bigjoe]

And lets not foget you can photograph them, as here with a celestron c 9 1/4!!
http://www.astronomy.com/observing/get-to-know-the-night-sky/2006/12/fun-with-double-and-variable-stars
bigjoe

[Greenswale]

Aha, carbon stars! Now you have hit the sweet spot.

Yep, R Leporis (I prefer Hinds carbon Star, helps with the memory.....) is super grouse. And how many people, en route to the Jewel Box, have star hopped via Mimosa, and missed DY Crucis, a very easy to find neighbouring carbon star.

Important things? Of course, we are made of the stuff!

[bigjoe]

Yes Wren ! Hinds Carbon Star AKA "THE VAMPIRE STAR"-"THE BLOOD DROP" And your right were made out of the remains of certain sized stars going - SUPERNOVA !!
PS: Do all have a look at DY CRUCIS if your bored for anything else ha
bigjoe

[bigjoe]

Below I have refered to doubles etc; in reality regardless of the actual number of stars involved, any stellar system containing two or more stars is referred to as a double star or binary star.
And a LOT of people would just use BINARY STAR or DOUBLE STAR and not multiple star.
For your information.
bigjoe.

[Greenswale]

For a very easy to read, slide show type presentation on carbon stars, go here: http://ozsky.org/pdf/CarbonStarsPresentation.pdf

[bigjoe]

Looks like this is going to make a terrific read:thumbsup: can't wait!
And thanks once again Wren.
bigjoe.

[bigjoe]

http://ozsky.org/pdf/CarbonStarsPresentation.pdf
This definately is an easy read for someone wanting to know more about Star colours ,temperatures and evolution of.
bigjoe.

[goober]

I love carbon stars. I remember the first time I viewed Hinds - was like Sauron was staring me down :)

[bigjoe]

Goober Its unbelievable isn't it .
People dont realize untill they actually give these a go .Then they'll be hooked for life ! Add them to your observing lists all!
bigjoe

[bigjoe]

And yes the " EYE OF SAURON "would be a good new name for it.
bigjoe.
.

[bigjoe]

https://www.google.com.au/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-telstra-au&source=android-browser&q=hinds+crimson+star&gfe_rd=cr&ei=_oqlWMLsOa7u8wfkjqK4AQ#gfe_rd=cr&imgrc=bd3wtQfysKArOM:ap Of where to find
The" Blood Star". Not far from Rigel , so have a look all.
PS:Bigger apertures will show its colour at its best!

bigjoe

[bigjoe]

BTW. BE PATIENT with this one as its apparent magnitude varies from +5.5 to +11.7 with a period of 418–441 days; recent measurements give a period of 427.07 and it gets REDDER THE DIMMER IT GETS.It may look more orange red at the moment but keep an eye on it occasionally and watch it redden up every 14.5 months!!

Cheers bigjoe

[grimsay]

Wow, this threads rapidly becoming a great resource.

Thanks bigjoe and co!

[bigjoe]

Thanks grimsay.
Check this out to get back on topic a bit.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/celestial-objects-to-watch/double-stars/.
Nice primer on doubles and what to see.
bigjoe.

[bigjoe]

A great article here on how to do your OWN double star measurements and add to Science!!
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/celestial-objects-to-watch/observing-double-stars-for-fun-and-science/.
Why ? The reason for measuring binary/multiple stars is to determine the total mass of the double-star system. Why again you say ? Well this information is crucial for the astronomers working on stellar evolution!! And YOU can help!!
PS: Scopes in the 90mm plus range are good enough for this!!
bigjoe

[bigjoe]

BTW. If you've not seen a TRIPLE STAR before, check out Beta Monocerotis, described by its discoverer William Herschel (1781) as “one of the most beautiful sights in the heavens ”. Beta Monocerotis is a dazzling trio of pure-white stars.
And its only 12 degrees eastwards of the Great Nebula in Orion!!
And only small 60mm apertures required!! Check it out!!
PS: Its visual magnitude is 3.7; so very bright; in fact the constellations brightest star! So you should be able to spot it with the unaided eye , even in the city!
bigjoe.

[bigjoe]

Here is a list of some fabulous double/multiple stars for anyone to enjoy; has anyone else been observing some of these as I do in between other objects,viz when no planets are around.

Alpha Crucis (thanks skysurfer)

H3945 CANIS MAJOR -Best?

Gamma Delphinus*

54 Sagitarri blue gold

66 Ceti -orange blue-Yellow violet

Alpha centauri*

Beta Centauri Hard 1.3" for A/B - a triple!

Antares red / green

Beta toucana 6 stars

Kappa Toucana 4 stars


Albireo golden yellow / blue

Gamma Andromedae (yellow/greenish)*- Almaak or Almach (thanks robh) fantastic double!

Rasalgethi (orange/greenish)- AlphaHerculis

Castor (silver/silver)

95 Herculis ( green/lemon yellow)

Epsilon Bootis (IZAR ), (yellow/indigo
blue) Fabulous

Double double- epsilon Lyrae

Iota Cancri- Superlative

Rho orionis

Gamma Leporis

Gamma velorum

Meissa -(can see all 5)

Stf 973

Sigma Orionis- multiple*

Lambda Orionis

Cor Caroli Alpha Canes -white olive

Stf 872 -auriga- gold blue

Eta Geminorum

Theta 2 Cancri

Gamma virginis -PORRIMA!*


Theta Orionis -trapezium

Tegmen - Zeta Cancri

61 Cygni - like 2 oranges

Delta Cygni -white rose colours

Algieba-Gamma Leonis

94 Aqauri -rose emerald

Beta Monocerotis- AMAZING TRIPLE!!

54 leo

Zeta Cancri

Eta Persei- yellow blue- 4

Lambda ORIONIS

Xi Bootis

Beta Scorpi

Beta Capricorni

Delta Corvi

These are just some of the more easier ones*
Antares is hard as is Beta Centauri , Sirius ! And skysurfer has suggested Mizar great one if well north of sydney

bigjoe