Classic stars ,up now !

[cotterless45]

There are some easy single , very notable named stars. These are ideal targets if you are suffering light pollution, the Moon or galaxy fuzz fatigue.

"Plasketts Star" in Monoceros, a massive binary,

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaskett%27s_star

"The Winter Albireo "in Canis Major, just as lovely as the real one and the most colourful in the winter sky,

http://www.theskyscrapers.org/h-3945-canis-majoris

"La Superba ", my seeing tester star in Canes Venatici,

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Superba

"Hind's Crimson Star", the "vampire star ".Catch it now on the edge of Lepus, it's a blood red globule, a real stunner. Probably the best colour , certainly entertaining last time out with the Patbloke.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Superba

For more of a challenge , try

the double stars in Gemini, Wasat being very delicate.The impossible Propus and the difficult κ, up at the shoulder of Pollux.

the double and multiple stars in Orion, including the lovely sigma triple, Rigel,Meissa and Alnitak.

the beauty of β Monoceros, a bright stunning triple, 15 Mon. At the base of the Christmas tree of NGC 2264.

There, hope that's left enough paper trails, happy searching under

Clear skies !

Nick.

[Owmuchonomy]

I think you had better skies than me Nick. I tried my new acquisition an ES 14mm 82' bought from this forum through my 9.25 on the Trapezium. Got 5/6 in wet wobbles between clouds. Nice tips on the brighter stars. Thanks.

[estwing]

A great alternative list of challenges there Nick thanks for sharing.....clear skies!

[laudropb]

Nice set of targets. Could you send some clear skies so I could try ?

[cotterless45]

You can pick the bones out of this while you wait. Might be some time ! https://www.astroleague.org/files/obsclubs/CarbonStar/CarbonStar-List.pdf

[John]

Great stuff Nick

I was looking at the Christmas Tree cluster just the other night but did not pay enough attention to 15 Monoceros. Something for next time !

[mdstuart]

Or try and split ngc 2474/5 a double galaxy.[emoji6]

Mark

[Paul73]

Or try NGC4485/90 (Cocoon Galaxy & friend). For those with normal size scopes!

Not that I won't try for Mark's NGC2474/5 suggestion....

Moons are another good target for splitting / resolving.

Paul

[mapstar]

Excellent info Nick

Many thanks again for posting

[alan potts]

Nick, I must learn how to copy paste, nice report or similar. I found the first up item as one of my very first doubles with the 18 inch, it was really lovely and as said looked just like its summer friend, I must find it again.

Alan