Splitting IZAR

[proflight2000]

Was watching IZAR this evening and I noticed from starry night that it is a double star, is it possible for a telescope on the ground to split it and what size? thanks.

[Astroman]

Sure, it's possible. It's 1" wider than Algeiba in Leo, and I split that all the time with my C8. They're close, but not that close.

[proflight2000]

I tried with various eyepieces, 12mm up to 25 mm and it didnt move, I was hoping it was going to be as straightforwards as Mizar and basically just point the scope at it. But as they say, it is all a challenge

[lunator]

PF Izar can be tricky if poor seeing conditions.

The bright yellow primary can overwhelm the pale blue secondary.

you will probably need x200 to split is at 1st so you need a 5mm eyepiece.

YOur skywatcher is capable of the split as the pair is 2.8" apart.

I have a pic taken using my compact camera. I'll try and post it later today so you have an idea what you are looking for.

Cheers

Ian

[barkis]

At about 3 arc second sep. mag.2.7 5.1 Should be fairly comfortable for your scope given good conditions. Find then ramp up the power.

Ron.

[lunator]

Here is the image.

It gives you an idea of what you can see at x200 in an 8" scope.

I hope this hleps you to split this pair.

Rgds

Ian

[barkis]

That's a nice demonstration Ian, especially with a hand held camera. You must have a steady hand.

I love the Blue against the Yellow primary. Looks quite pretty.

Ron.

[proflight2000]

Many thanks Ian, now I know what I am looking for.

[proflight2000]

Thanks all for the assistance on this one, with the lovely dark skys I had for a while last night I spent the whole evening at Izar fine tuning eyepieces ect and I think I have now seen the split, if i take it in conjunction with the photograph that was placed in this thread by Ian. Make the hobby a lot more nicer when you give yourself a set task to complete. Now for something else?????

[John]

I use Izar as a test object - the best I have managed is to split it with an ED80 refractor at 150x although it is difficult as the dimmer star is almost right where the 1st diffraction ring is.

John

[proflight2000]

Thats what I found John, I used averted vision to make out the split with the blue tinged star (or green, or even blue/green) slighty to the left of the main star. Wonder if I could pull out the one hiding behind polaris

[lunator]

PF the Polaris double is easier than Izar.

Although the companion is 8th mag the separation makes it an easier split.

I'll dig out my photo of the polaris double.

Cheers

Ian