Lyra multiples testing my limits

[lenscap]

Many of the stars listed as doubles in Skysafari, Stellarium & the like, are actually multiples.  You can identify which have further components which may be  within the reach of your scope using  stelledoppie

( 200p F/5, EQ3-2, diy Onstep Goto, generic Plossls.  19th Sept, from 22.30 BST, Transparency - good, Seeing - average, rising 70% Moon)

I observed several multiples in Lyra.

   HD 172131 This is a Quadruple (Mags 8.06, 10.63, 10.45, 12.81  Spacings  16",210",38")   The first 3 were visible in a 10mm EP, the 4th eluded me.

   HD 178592 A Triple (Mags 8.57, 9.02, 10.84 Spacings 2.3", 99") The tight pair were split at x200 with the dimmer third just visible to the SE.

   HD 174638, Sheliak has no less than 8 components of which 6 are potentially visible in an amateur scope. I could see 4 ranging from Mags 3.63 to 10.62 with the dimmer 3 arranged in a near equilateral triangle and the bright primary close to bisecting one of the sides, giving the impression of a triangular pyramid. No surprise that the 13 & 14 Mag components were not seen .

   HD 175588, Delta2 Lyr Has 11 components which are part of the Stephenson 1 asterism,  laid out in a ragged zigzag line over about 6 arc min. I could make out 6 of them up to Mag 10.3 at x100, and maybe the 11th Mag 7th by AV but it could be my imagination.

   STF 2474 which with STF 2470 makes up the well known Double Doubles Double is itself a triple. (Mags 6.78, 7.88, 11.42, Spas, 17", 264") The dim third was visible by AV.

   HD 179709 is a Quad (Mags 8, 9.1, 9.7, 11.47 Spaced at 10, 71, 74") with the 11.47 star visible by AV, the dimmest I have seen with this setup.

   STF 2430. Just a plain old double to finish. (Mags 8.94, 9.18  at 1.5") easily split at x200 and the closest pair I have yet split with this scope, helped , no doubt by the lack of glare due to the dim but near equal magnitudes.

After a really enjoyable couple of hours on a lovely, mild night I now have a much better idea of the capabilities of this scope at my location. And with the possibility of moonless nights, better seeing & perhaps better dark adaptation there is plenty of room for improvement.

Onward and upward!  😀

 

 

 

 

[Stu]

Nice report @lenscap, some great information in there. Might have a look at some of these tonight. Thanks!

[domstar]

I'll second Stu. Great report and especially informative. I like multiples because you can be sure you've found the right star before you look for the other more challenging components.