Centenary of the discovery of Barnard's Star

[Martin Meredith]

This week is the centenary of the discovery of the star with the highest proper motion — Barnard’s Star. The star’s motion was discovered by comparing plates taken on Aug 24th, 1894 and May 30th, 1916. This is the 1916 article describing the star. I believe the actual discovery was made on June 3rd but can't lay my hands on the source at the moment -- any info appreciated.

I took a 15s image of the star with my Lodestar X2 mono camera last June and was lucky to catch it again tonight in a brief interval between clouds. The north-westerly movement of around 10" over the course of the year is very obvious. 

2015:

2016:

 

Its interesting to compare to the original image to see the movement over the course of a century. The convenient arrow-shaped asterism is still in shot but Barnard's Star is well to the north of it now.

You can find Barnard's Star at or around 17h 58 36, 4deg 44’ 32.8 in the north of Ophiuchus.

Martin

[laudropb]

Nice capture and write up.

[John]

Very nice piece Martin

I managed to find and observe Barnards Star with my 4" refractor around this time last year. It's around magnitude 9 I think.

[Martin Meredith]

Thanks laudropb and John. Yes, it is quite a bright star and with the cursor asterism should be easy to spot. I must try it visually one day...

Martin

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Nice write-up and comparison with the discovery position. I guess about 50 years or so ago the arrow asterism would have pointed right at it.

[mikeskor]

Fine and very educational images. Thanks for sharing.

Mike

[Martin Meredith]

Cheers Mike and Knight. It would be interesting to find some contemporary reports from the time when the arrow pointed at it.

Martin