Crossway Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 What a delightful sight this DSO is when observed with the benefit of a crystal clear sky as it was last night here in rural Northumberland. It is said to vary between Mag 3.6 and 5.1 with no detectable period but I would say that it is currrently at maximum now. I was using my 10 X 50s .Later, I made a determined effort to spot M33 ....this time with the binos on a rigid support and once again failed. It is certainly a most elusive object and yet some folks seem to have no trouble at all. Same goes for NGC 7000. and this one even with the naked eye. Very frustrating! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAN or ASTROMAN Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Mu Cepheii (Herschel's 'Garnet star') is on my current list of 'must sees'.R Leporis ('Hind's Crimson star') would seem to be worth a look to see which is the redder of the two.Probably Mu,as it's higher in the sky and less affected by the atmospheric chromatic effects that you get with, say for instance,Sirius. I've looked for M33 several times,but I think that LP rules it out from my urban location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BinocularSky Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 R Lep is much redder than Mu Cep. Another good red one is 19 Psc, well placed early evening at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossway Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share Posted November 25, 2014 I would like to have viewed Mu Cep via the telescope but owing to neck problems and the severe contortions necessary to target not far from the Zenith I did not win this round. Perhaps I would feel better if I heard that it views better through binos anyway!!Just waithing for R Lep to move into my comfortable target sector at middle evening time. Orion looked high and glorious at 2.am last week but this was through the window of a warm bedroom.I'd never come across 19 Psc before . It is not on my star chart but later found it identified as TX Psc. Have to wait until May - July next year to spot the "greenish star " ---- Beta Librae. Easier to say (or spell) than " Zubeneschamali". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossway Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share Posted November 25, 2014 Hoping to get your book ( 2nd. Ed of course ) for Christmas Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAN or ASTROMAN Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 I 'saw' all three red stars last night.Alas,they were in the 'Cambridge Photographic Star Atlas',so I don't suppose that really counts! Curse those clouds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAN or ASTROMAN Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 I've been doing a bit of quick research on Beta Librae.The great amateur Astronomer William Tyler Olcott(1873-1936),desribed it as "The only naked eye star that is green in colour" Now,as founder of 'The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)',you would think that he'd know a thing or two about star colour.Yet, B Lib. is about twice as hot as our sun,with a temp of about 12,300k, it is classed as a type B8v star.Therefore it should appear blue-white. This is probably a case of individual colour perception for the observer. I look forward to deciding what I make of things,when it's visible again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossway Posted November 28, 2014 Author Share Posted November 28, 2014 Yes, I find star colours inconsistant and I am sure that this is mainly owing to the physical conditions prevailing at the time of observation . taking Mu Cep as one example , it was superb when viewed the other night . Other times it has been disappointing. The same goes for the yellow and blue Albireo double.. It probably all boils down to the eye of the beholder ....... I found Patrick Moore's interesting but rather dismissive comments on Beta Librae ....he said that it always looked white to him. It is a great hobby ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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