Monoceros multiples.

[cotterless45]

An easy constellation to find, but not to spot its individual stars, unless you have dark sky. Between Procyon and Orion , down to Sirius, this is the constellation Monoceros. Lining up the top, belt or bottom stars of Orion will lead you to it. It's a really great and inspiring area for clusters and nebulae, but here are views which please.

 

Here are seven sets of multiple stars here giving lovely views.

10 Monocerotis is in the middle of NGC 2232, its wide 77"-78" and from +5 to +9.2.
(SAO 133290) some 6.5x the sun's diameter and 7341 times as bright.

8 Mon. ( Σ900) with a wide split at 12.1" has a third element at 91.8". (SAO 113812)

Beta Mon., William Hershel called this " one of the most beautiful sights in the heavens", rightly so. It's bright with a 2.9"-7.1" split. (SAO 133317)

15 Mon. Is at the base of the Christmas tree in NGC 2264, provides a multiple A-F, splits 2.9"-39.5" (SAO 114258) , a firm favourite.

Σ 956 presents an arc of three stars, splits 6.6"-36.5". This is x9.4 diameter and x107647 as bright as Sol.

Σ 1019 again three stars 6.4" -38.5" wide.

Zeta Mon. (29 Mon . Σ1190)A gentle arc at x50, 33.0"- 64.7" splits here. (SAO 135551) yellow and blue here.

Nothing too challenging here and within reach of 4" aperture. Some lovely show pieces to impress and enjoy under ,clear skies ! Nick.

[wookie1965]

Wow more for me when I can get out. 

[Knighty2112]

Thanks Nick. I’ll notch ‘em up as soon as I get the next clear night at home. Seen the Christmas tree cluster quite a few times, but I’ll have to hunt out the multiples in it. Ta!  

[NGC 1502]

Thanks for that, Beta Mon is a fave of mine, cracking sight.  The others noted for my next session.

Cheers from Ed.