STF 950 - A multiple star system that is a cluster on its own.

[Wiu-Wiu]

Well, you find yourself sketching the Christmas tree cluster, and notice that your atlas notes a Struve double star in its center. 

One of my side projects for nights of haze, patches of clouds, or when there is just not enough time or energy to get myself to a dark spot, is visiting (and sketching) as many Struve doubles as I can find. 

So I decided to sketch the double, and had a bit of work with it - being in the center of the cluster. 

So when processing my observation, I started researching where the B-component was, and to my big surprise I noticed this is a multiple star system. 

(source: Stelle Doppie  - Some other observation reports: here )

It is SO big, even 2 of the components are a Struve on their own (STF 952)

I wasn't able - or aware - to split the AB-pair.

 

You definately should put this one on your list and try to get as many as you can  

 

 

 

 

For reference, here it is in respect to the cluster:

[Fraunhoffer]

Super. Thanks for sharing this. Interesting find. Great sketch.

[Mr Spock]

Quite a sight. I must get to this one this winter.