Gazing Doubles - Live Report

[iPeace]

Just a bit of fun, let's see how this goes.

Main scope is a 600/85 APO frac.

Start with Almach: gorgeous gold and blue with the 4mm DeLite.

[iPeace]

6 Trianguli - less dazzling, but very rewarding blue / white pair with the 4mm DeLite.

[iPeace]

Lambda Arietis - all too easy, more fun in Bjorn The Hyperfinder. White with a bluish companion.

[iPeace]

Mesarthim - lovely white twins.

[iPeace]

Goodness - it's Mars! Dropping fast. Not much going on with the 3mm DeLite, so shift to HRs. Not much in it with the 2.4mm, pushing a bit too far tonight with the 2mm. Call it a nice visit, not spectacular.

[iPeace]

Miram - golden with a faint companion that looks blue to me.

[iPeace]

HR 890/891 - very nice blue / white pair.

[iPeace]

1 Camelopardalis - not easy to locate (remember, star hopping with manual alt-az mount). Not stunning, but nice white with a blueish companion.

[iPeace]

Achird - easily located, nice bright white with dimmer pal of indeterminate colour.

[iPeace]

Chi Tauri - white with a dimmer (blue?) pal.

[iPeace]

118 Tauri - not overly remarkable, but pleasantly worthwhile.

[iPeace]

Meissa - very nice, companion looks blue to me.

[iPeace]

Sigma Orionis - we do like a challenge, but this wasn't going to happen tonight. Probably (?) too big an ask for the scope; 1.6mm HR nonwithstanding.

[iPeace]

Trapezium - four stars, have yet to see more with this aperture.

[iPeace]

Epsilon Monocerotis - another nice pair with contrasting colours.

[iPeace]

Beta Monocerotis - celebrated triplet, just great!

[iPeace]

Wasat - rewarding to see the faint companion.

[Stu]

Lovely stuff Mike, some great targets! Thought I had better reply to stop this being a Doubles Blog!

Not sure if the fourth component of Sigma Orionis is doable in 85mm, I would think yes under good dark conditions. 

[iPeace]

Castor - an obvious target, but a true stunner, two very bright stars, so nicely paired.

[iPeace]

Iota Cancri - very nice at low power.

[Littleguy80]

28 minutes ago, iPeace said:

Beta Monocerotis - celebrated triplet, just great!

Now seeing this for the first time. Good tip and great thread  

[iPeace]

Tegmen/Tegmine - a challenge with this aperture, the 1.6mm HR shows three stars, but doesn't quite separate the two closest ones.

[Paul M]

You sound like a double gazing salesman

[iPeace]

Algieba - a stunner. Bright, with fascinating colours, white and gold, or gold and green? You decide.

[iPeace]

54 Leonis - nicely contrasting colours, well worth seeking out.

Getting cold now...