Barnard's Star

[Pace]

Looking back through my observing log book the other night I came across a sketch where I had recorded the position of Barnard's Star in Ophiuchus. The intention was to wait a while and compare positions to see if i could detect any proper motion. Well quite a few years have passed since my initial sketch so last night I got out for another look.

Wow - it has moved lots! Plotting the two positions I've recorded gave an estimated proper motion of 11" year which is pretty close to the 10.3" from google so I'm quite chuffed with that, feels like I've done a bit of proper science!

 

[FenlandPaul]

Nice piece of work!  That's one of the joys of keeping notes over the years.  Must say it's never occurred to me to track that one.  How long apart were your observations?

Paul

[Pace]

Thanks Paul, the observations were 10 years apart almost to the day. The movement was large so I think a couple of years would show a noticeable change.

[SilverAstro]

Nice ! Congratulations, and on being able to find your notes as well

[Dave In Vermont]

Very well done, Sir! Over a few years - now that's what I call 'foresight!'

Keep up the great work -

Dave

[alan potts]

Very well done indeed!

Alan

[Astro Imp]

Very well done, must have given great satisfaction.

[Special K]

That's an excellent discovery!!  Good work

[rockystar]

mirror the above sentiments - well done, shows the benefit of notes and sketches

[niallk]

That's just great! 

You've inspired me to try too

[johnfosteruk]

That's fantastic, inspired as well. I'll report back in a 'number of years' time.

[Pace]

Thanks for all the kind words everybody.

I sketched up 61 Cygni a couple of nights ago as suggested in a good S&T article on Barnards star I found on the web last week. I'll see how this one (or two as it's a nice double) moves. hopefully I won't wait quite so long to check it this time.

Andy