TheSkySearchers

While at my dark site observing mostly faint things with my 12" f/5 Dob at 175x, I came across three interesting unequal doubles last night, July 6, 2021.


5 Serpentis. I happened to notice this while finding the globular cluster M5, which appears close by in the sky. Magnitudes 5.1, 10.1, sep 11.1" at PA 36 deg. This is a physical double about 83 light years distant, with a projected separation of about 282 AU.

Beta Scorpii AC m 2.6, 4.5, sep 13.4" at PA 20 degrees. This is a pretty double, although purely optical, per the WDS catalog.

Delta Herculis, m 3.1, 8.3, sep 13.7" at PA 293. The primary lies about 75 light years away. After closing for many years since discovery, this double is now separating, and is not believed to be physical.

I frequently happen upon double stars by chance, while sweeping, or star hopping for faint objects. I like to identify them and log them, if particularly interesting.

Nice catches, John. Lots of beautiful doubles out there!!

Dave

Well done John. I have seen 5 Serpentis many times, but always as secondary to M5. They make a nice "double" for the naked eye to discern in darker skies.

Three nice doubles. Thanks for your great report!

I frequently happen upon double stars by chance, while sweeping, or star hopping for faint objects. I like to identify them and log them, if particularly interesting.

I come across them too sometimes but most of the time but I am too eager to hop further. Nice you have got the patience to identify them. Keep up the good works!

John Fitzgerald wrote: ↑Wed Jul 07, 2021 6:10 pm ... I frequently happen upon double stars by chance, while sweeping, or star hopping for faint objects. I like to identify them and log them, if particularly interesting.

Yes, it is interesting how they stand out. I was amazed when I stumbled on my own first (eta Pisc) while lining up Mars in Pisces last December. Like you, I stopped to note in my log and then went back later. I went back the next night for a better observation.