Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

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John Baars Netherlands
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Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

#1

Post by John Baars »


Summertime, gray nights....it got a little darker pretty late last night. Rightly so that I could only choose a few double stars and not some faint nebula. Add to that the bright Schiedam city-sky and a rising Moon and you're left with only two naked-eye stars: Arcturus and Wega. More were simply not there. Time for a push-to with Polar Scope Align Pro.

Polaris I can't see from my little garden. So then with the built-in compass / inclinometer just pretend I'm on Polaris. Those who are not strong must be smart and have a little guts. Confirm the fake alignment and off to Arcturus..... where I am a good 6 degrees off. Not bad for a casual alignment. To the phone screen and using the arrows and crosshairs to center the target on the screen. No stars other than Arcturus and Wega are visible. My scope points to a light gray area in the sky. To my delight, at the lowest magnification and a 3.2-degree field of view, I see a double star at the bottom of the image. Kuma aka Nu Draconis. Happy!

Recalibration is now unnecessary and Alrakis and 16/17 Draconis appear without fail using the little screen somewhere in the field of view. Funny thing is that in the little screen, the target regularly "floats" out of the center and then in another direction. Sometimes even a bit up and down. Must have to do with the various signals the phone receives. Alrakis and 17 Draconis require higher magnification. I put in 200+. To my surprise, the barlow lens that comes standard with the telescope ( after a flocking job on my part) delivers a nice, hard contrast image. Certainly not inferior to a barlow lens from a slightly more reputable source ( did not have a flocking job) . Even a fraction harder contrast.

Then I focus the scope on Epsilon Lyrae, this time just with the viewfinder, where the observed differences between the two barlows are confirmed. And so I bring my double star total for the evening to 5.

Kuma 16- 17 Draconis, Alrakis final .JPG

Sketches of the three double pairs, as seen through my refractor with a mirror-diagonal.




Satisfied, I clean up.
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
Amateur astronomer since 1970.
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Bigzmey United States of America
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Re: Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

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Post by Bigzmey »


Nice session, report and sketches John! You are putting the little 102mm to a good use.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2437, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 257
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Re: Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

#3

Post by jrkirkham »


Thanks for posting. We've both been observing doubles.
Rob
Telescopes: 50mm refractor, ED80 triplet, 90mm makcass, 10" dob, 8"SCT, 11"SCT
Mounts: Celestron CGX, Orion Sirius + several camera tripods
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AL Projects Completed: Lunar #645, Outreach #0280, Universe Sampler #93-T, Binocular Messier #871, Messier #2521, Messier Honorary #2521, Constellation Hunter Northern Skies #112, Planetary Transit Venus #1, Galileo #26, Outreach Stellar 0280, Meteor Regular #157, Solar System Telescopic #209-I, Observer Award #1
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Re: Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

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Post by Ylem »


Some nice sketches there John!
Enjoyed reading your report.
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


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Re: Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

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Post by helicon »


Excellent sketches and a fine report John, congratulations on nailing down the VROD for the day!
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
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Re: Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

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Post by John Baars »


Thanks for the VROD!
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
Amateur astronomer since 1970.
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Re: Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

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Post by Ylem »


Congratulations on the well deserved VROD John!
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


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Re: Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

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Post by OzEclipse »


Hi John.
Congratulations on the VROD. Wow that's some commitment under less than ideal conditions. If you can only see two stars, then you might do better with an alt-az mount with digital setting circles like a NEXUS or ARGO NAVIS.
I have a NEXUS on my 18" push to dob. so easy. I need two alignment stars to calibrate the model. These work best if the stars are both around the 20-30 degrees altitude and separated in azimuth by 120 degrees or more. No polar or other alignment required.
No stars other than Arcturus and Wega are visible.
However, in the absence of that, you'll have to make do with Arcturus and Wega. My 18" will nearly centre objects in the 20 arc minute field of view of my Denk D14 using widely spaced calibration stars. I suspect if you have less precision due to Arcturus and Wega being closer together, but the wider field of a refractor, you'll have no problems.

Joe
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Scopes: ATM 18" Dob, Vixen VC200L, ATM 6"f7, Stellarvue 102ED, Saxon ED80, WO M70 ED, Orion 102 Maksutov, ST80.
Mounts: Takahashi EM-200, iOptron iEQ45, Push dobsonian with Nexus DSC, three homemade EQ's.
Eyepieces: TV Naglers 31, 17, 12, 7; Denkmeier D21 & D14; Pentax XW10, XW5, Unitron 40mm Kellner, Meade Or 25,12
Cameras : Pentax K1, K5, K01, K10D / VIDEO CAMS : TacosBD, Lihmsec.
Cam/guider/controllers: Lacerta MGEN 3, SW Synguider, Simulation Curriculum SkyFi 3+Sky safari
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Re: Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

#9

Post by scribbly »


John, nice drawings, and unfortunately made easier (well not as many stars to record) by LP.

Nice creative alignment too! I have an equatorial mount and light/wood-fired heater pollution (in Canberra AUS) can make finding Sigma Octans a challenge. I too often use the compass/inclinometer rough alignment method if I am doing visual observing, and like you, usually find it is good enough after aligning on the first bright star, to find a second, and then it is usually pretty good. For photography sessions I use Polemaster (the camera is reasonably sensitive) for PA, and building the mount model is then straight forward.

Phil
Telescopes: Takahashi TSA120; Genstar 10" (Barry Arnold optics), Skywatcher ST80 (guide)
Eyepieces: Televue Nagler 7/11/22mm, Takahashi LE50mm, Denkmieir 14mm, Andrews (Moonfish) 30mm
Cameras: Canon EOS RP, Player One Neptune-C II Planetary (IMX464), QHY Polemaster
Lenses: Canon 300mm F4 L, Tamron 24-70mm G2 F2.8, Samyang 14mm F2.8, Rokinon 8mm
Mounts: Losmandy G11G, Skywatcher Star Adventurer I PRO
Binoculars: Bushnell Forge ED 10x42
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John Baars Netherlands
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Re: Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

#10

Post by John Baars »


@OzEclipse
Thanks....
Not for long I will have better precision with a new device called MeMstar. It is French, still in development and they are working on an I-phone udate right now. It has a precision of one degree, more than enough for the 7 or 4 degree field of my viewfinder or the 3.2 degree field of my wide-field refractor. I belong to one of the hundred pioneers ( they call it "ambassadors" :icon-smile: ) that is testing the first batch. Still, I'll remember Nexus, just in case..... :dance:
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
Amateur astronomer since 1970.
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Re: Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

#11

Post by John Baars »


@scribbly
Thanks,
Yes, it seems like the same alignment method for visual observations.
The PS Align Pro app is not one of the best; its advise is to recalibrate on a nearby bright star every time one hops to the next target. If one does, no big issues will occur. It's not as reliable in the sense that you don't know exactly how far away you are from your goal. It varies from spot on to several degrees off. But at least, it works reasonably. Better than nothing at all and looking at a bright evenly lit grey sky.
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
Amateur astronomer since 1970.
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Re: Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

#12

Post by John Baars »


Bigzmey wrote: Sat Jun 03, 2023 5:55 pm Nice session, report and sketches John! You are putting the little 102mm to a good use.
Well, yes I find it quite remarkable how a 102mm refractor shows even DSO's in the grey, light pollutioned sky. The issue is more how to find them, without reference stars as a guide. The app is a great help here under Bortle 8 skies.
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
Amateur astronomer since 1970.
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Re: Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

#13

Post by Lady Fraktor »


I am glad to read that the new system is working well for you John. :)
A great session and sketches.

I purchased a Argo Navis years ago due to the continuing light pollution from Bratislava and have been very happy with it.
Gabrielle
See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen
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Re: Kuma, Alrakis, 16 & 17 Draconis, some nice double stars

#14

Post by messier 111 »


thx for that nice report .
I LOVE REFRACTORS , :Astronomer1: :sprefac:

REFRACTOR , TS-Optics Doublet SD-APO 125 mm f/7.8 . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor .

EYEPIECES, Delos , Delite and 26mm Nagler t5 , 2 zoom Svbony 7-21 , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .

FILTER , Nebustar 2 tele vue . Apm solar wedge . contrast booster 2 inches .

Mounts , cg-4 motorized , eq6 pro belt drive .

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.”
― Isaac Asimov

Jean-Yves :flags-canada:
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