List of doubles by separation to use for seeing estimates

[Weltevreden SA (Dana)]

I want to switch my seeing quality estimates from the subjective 1 - 10 scale to the arsec scale. Is there a list of doubles by separations from 1.0 to 4.0 secs arranged by sky region or constellation that I can use for quick seeing checks? I don't have go-to capability, electricity, or cell reception at my dark site, but the skies are very dark, lim vis mag averages 7.5. Finding by chart and starhop works quite well for DSOs to vm13.0, using a 150mm Mak at 60x as a finder. I wouldn't think it too difficult to starhop doubles to m9.0. Suggestions?

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

Dana,
I use AstroPlanner V2 for this sort of listing.
It has all the double star catalogues and you can sort each object by magnitude and separation etc
The results can be exported to an Excel spreadsheet for use in the field.
Let me know if you want me to do a sample dump for you.

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Hi,

This attached spreadsheet is made up by permission from

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

You are welcome to use it if useful.

Cheers

[Robh (Rob)]

Hi Dana,

If you want to use doubles for testing seeing, I'd prefer bright ones that are easy to find and ones where each component is relatively bright. Trying to split a mag 5 component A and a mag 10 component B at 1 arcsec separation would be a tough ask.
You may also want say stars less than +30 dec. However, that's up to you.

You can use the WDS Catalog.
Go to http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/db-perl...n=More+Options

Under View, tick only and add where applicable (you can pick different values) ...
name
ra
dec <+30
spect type
separation date1 >1
separation date2 <5
comp1 mag <6
comp2 mag <7

then Start Search

Under ra select the down arrow to sort by ascending right ascension.
I used both the separation date1 and date2 fields as you can't do ">1 and <5" in the separation date2 field. It is possible separation date2 can end up less than 1. Just ignore these.

To get the names of the stars, select S under Services which takes you to the SIMBAD database.

Regards, Rob

[Weltevreden SA (Dana)]

Hi and thanks to everyone who responded. After sending the request I recalled that I have an A3 sized printout of the J R Torres "Intermediate B-C chart set that goes down to vm11. Using the links provided by Robh and GeoffW1, as I ferret out any particular double I'll mark its details on the Torres charts for future ready reference.