Aries / Triangulum 26/01/2024

[Mr Spock]

My first doubles session for a while due to extensive cloud cover and the distraction of Jupiter. A good night though with excellent seeing - good clean airy disc at x185 - but a bright background. No doubt the moon had something to do with that!

Started out with three really tight ones! I like a challenge 

Date:    from 18:30 to 21:30 26/01/2024
Scope:    Takahashi FC-100D
Eyepieces:    42mm LVW x19, 16mm Nirvana x46, 7mm Nirvana x93, 4mm Nirvana x185
Conditions:    Excellent seeing and poor transparency - mag 3.0 in the direction of Triangulum (very bright background)
Note:    All PAs are rough estimates.
    
Σ 212    Uneven pair, tighter than expected, x185
Σ 194    Slightly uneven pair, very tight, clean split at x185 (1.2")
Σ 208    Close pair, 1.3", but easier than expected. Bright primary with faint secondary to the north (360°), x185
Σ 271    A wide pair with bright primary and faint secondary at 180°, x93
33 Ari    Very wide, very uneven pair. Secondary about 5° North, easy at x46
Σ 300    Lovely pair - like a mini Castor! Secondary 300° at x93
Σ 269    Close, faint secondary at 30° x185. Cat says 345° so maybe I got E and W confused?
Σ 246    Very wide uneven pair at 120°, x46
Σ 219    Very wide uneven pair at 170°, x46

Addition note: I've revised the magnification of the 7mm Nirvana as this eyepiece actually measures 8mm.
 

[Nik271]

Very nice! I like doubles in moonlight. The second one, STF 194 is very impressive for a 100mm scope, on the Raleigh limit. The third one (STF 208 or 10 Arietis) is a bit wider now, about 1.6''. I should try these as a hard test for my 100mm refractor. I also like the 4mm Nirvana in the refractor, found it very sharp and comfortable, giving a sweet spot of magnification on tight doubles.

[lunator]

Michael

Nice report  😀  It is amazing what can be split when the seeing is excellent. 

Cheers

Ian