[Lvas] A Las Vegas Project

[roger ivester]

All,

 

If I want to observe double and multiple stars I normally do this when the moon is up. I save my dark nights for faint galaxies and other deep-sky objects. I have done some excellent double star work within 100 foot of an unshielded "booger" light. 

 

Take a small scope and see if you can see the companion of Castor in Gemini. How about the faint and small "blue speck" companion of Rigel? Light pollution and the moon...no problem. 

 

How about a beautiful blue primary and a faint "rust" secondary...so many colorful doubles with great color contrast. There is an entire science to observing double stars. My friend, astronomer, lecturer and book author James Mullaney has just completed a new "double star" atlas with Wil Tirion. It is suppose to be available this month. See "Cambridge Double Star Atlas". 

 

I normally use my "manual" setting circles to find my fainter doubles under heavy light pollution. Doubles can open up a whole new world of astronomy and observing for the city dweller.  

 

Double stars can become addictive. You are trying to see what is the closest pair that you can separate, or just enjoying a wide and beautiful pair. Colorful doubles are especially fun and can be so beautiful. Be sure to list the colors that you see and compare this with others. Observers often see different colors. Do a sketch as you see them...hey anyone can draw representative dots to be similar to how you see them through your scope. James "Jim" Mullaney also has a recent book on double star observing which includes techniques, and all you might need to learn. 

 

A project for the city. Have you seen all six stars in the trapezium? Check out this tonight, I would love to here your report. It will require a very stable sky with at least a 6-inch scope of excellent quality. Observing doubles will really teach you a lot about seeing and sky conditions. You will be using much higher powers for doubles as compared to other deep-sky objects...especially if they are close. There are formulas...but start with the easy ones at first. Practice and patience has it's rewards.     

 

Best regards, Roger Ivester 

 



 
 
 
    I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.      Abraham Lincoln




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