Aries Double Star Map

[lunator]

Here is a Map of Aries with doubles listed.

I have added a few of the doubles I have observed added at the bottom. The Map is generated by Cartes du Ceil. This is a work in progress so any feedback is appreciated

Cheers

Ian

(click to enlarge)

[kniclander]

I never knew there were so many doubles! Looks really useful - do you plan to do it for other constellations too?

btw, how close do 2 stars have to be to be a "double"?

Thanks

Dan

[Doc]

I don't think there needs to be a ultimate distance. As long as they are gravitally bound to one another and revolve around each other then they are a double.

I could be wrong though.

[MikeP]

Overall, I believe single stars are in the minority i.e. there are thought to be more double and multiple star systems than single stars.

Mike

[MikeP]

Ian,

You asked for feedback, so don't take this as criticism - the chart is a bit "busy" for me. You are the expert though, so I'm sure you have a reason for producing it.

Mike

[lunator]

Hi Dan

There are several views on what constiutes a double but there is a general consensus amongst most double star observers.

The doubles can be generally split into 2 groups.

Optical doubles and Physical doubles.

Optical doubles are just line of sight. The stars look close together but are actually separated by vast distances and have very different motion in through space.

Physical doubles are also called Binaries (a term 1st coined by William Herchel) they are generally quite close together and show orbital motion.

A 3rd group is known as common proper motion pairs. These pairs don't show orbital motion but do share the same motion through space so are considered as gravitationally bound but with orbital periods in the 10's of thousands of years.

In the 100,000+ systems of the WDS only a 2100 have orbits 1100 have rectilinear elements (meaning showing different proper motion) but many more are classified as common proper motion pairs.

There are still thousands of doubles that are not known as either physical or optical.

Cheers

Ian

[kniclander]

thanks Ian

dan

[mdstuart]

Fasinating chart. I agree with the comment that you are trying to get too much on one page. I love double stars but have only really gone through the well known ones.

Mark

[lunator]

Mike, Mark

Thanks for the feedback.

It appears that CduC has limits on how you can present data.

I felt it looked a bit busy when I created it and you have confirmed this impression.

I'll try and tweak it some more.

Cheers

Ian

[lunator]

I have amended the map.

Let me know your thoughts

Cheers

Ian

(click to enlarge)

[MikeP]

Vastly better - I like it a lot.

What's the limiting magnitude in your chart? I've compared with my Toshimi Taki Mag 8.5 Star Atlas and it looks like your chart has a few more stars shown.

Mike

[lunator]

Hi Mike

The limiting mag is 10.

Cheers

Ian

[mdstuart]

Much better, I have now printed it out and will give it a go. I have done y aries STF180, It is lovely. But I have a 6inch - 750mm focal length reflector so not too hot for doubles. SFT180 is 2mm apart with my highest power which is about x220 so I think I will be able to do your toughness grade 1's. Will try a few 2's and 3's from your chart...

MArk