Double stars

[Bugfly]

Out side last night had look at this bright star I had to look twice lol and change my lenes just to make shaw I was not seeing things I found my fist double star well happy it looked like this sooty the picture not all that but Yep my telescope 8inch telescope Dobson with 17mm lenes and a Barlow lenes

[Paul73]

Splendid. Always a nice surprise. Did you identify the star(s)?

If you fancy a quick go at a few more have at crack at these Double and multiple stars. They are all well placed at a civilised time at the moment.

1/ Polaris

2/ Almach (in Andromeda).

3/ Then head over to orion for three lovelies;

- The Trapezium right in the middle of the nebula (see if you can get the fainter 5th star)

-, Mintaka (right of the three belt stars - easy split)

- Gamma Orionis which has 4 viewable elements (just below the left star in the belt).

Don't forget the writup if you like them. A double & multiple stars don't get the coverage that they deserve and make great moon/light polluted targets.

Paul

[Bugfly]

Not quit shaw mate but well happy finding them

[Astro Imp]

While looking at Orion Meissa (the Hunter's head) is well worth a look. 

[Paul73]

While looking at Orion Meissa (the Hunter's head) is well worth a look.

Good call. A lovely sight in the wide field. Then move in closure for the split.

Paul

[Mark at Beaufort]

Looking at your drawing you appear to suggest that the stars are of a similar brightness. If that is the case I would bet that you were viewing the star Castor in Gemini. What direction were you observing, what time and what angle (altitude).

There are some great website showing the best doubles - here is one example - http://www.jouscout.com/astro/belmont/belmontd.htm

[neural]

Great - there's always something special about finding something by accident. For a minute you can feel like the first person to see it. For me it was the double cluster - always remember that moment.

I agree, I bet it was Castor. Quite high up in the south-east at about ten or eleven pm? Next to another really bright one? I was looking at it last night as well. Does it sound weird to say I really enjoyed the colour because it was white? Absolutely pure snowdrift white. Always a lovely thing to see.

Stay excited!

[FenlandPaul]

Great - there's always something special about finding something by accident. For a minute you can feel like the first person to see it. For me it was the double cluster - always remember that moment.

I agree, I bet it was Castor. Quite high up in the south-east at about ten or eleven pm? Next to another really bright one? I was looking at it last night as well. Does it sound weird to say I really enjoyed the colour because it was white? Absolutely pure snowdrift white. Always a lovely thing to see.

Stay excited!

Definitely Castor! Like a pair of catseyes!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Merlin]

Regarding observing in Orion, let's not forget Sigma Orionis ( below the Horsehead nebula ), described by one observer a looking like a miniature solar system. And so it does.

[Paul73]

Just realised that I meant Sigma Orion when I types Gamma. Sorry.

Good description Merlin.

Paul

[MAN or ASTROMAN]

I split Castor  for the first time, last night, using a 13mm plossl with my TAL 100 RS (X77). I was so pleased with the view that I let out a little chuckle to myself.Fenland Paul's 'cat's eyes' analogy hits the nail on the head! A beautiful sight,that I shall no doubt return to.I must research more into double/multiple stars-to be honest,they were one of the reasons that I talked myself into finally purchasing the TAL!