Nestled within the constellation of Hercules, this binary star Struve 2063 shines from 263 light years away with a golden hue. Garden astronomers can enjoy this gem high in the sky on summer nights.
This binary features a bright yellow star radiating with a magnitude of +5.7. The companion star appears fainter with a magnitude of 8.7 and has a distinct color of white with a bluish tint, creating a contrasting effect with the primary star. The astronomer William Hershel was the first to record this binary system on August 11, 1782.
My Observations
| Date | October 15, 2023 |
| Time | 9:45 p.m. |
| Location | Seattle, WA |
| Magnification | 169x |
| Scope | Meade 8″ SCT |
| Eyepiece | 12mm |
| Seeing | Average |
| Transparency | Average |
Before letting Hercules slip off into the Western skyline, I’m seeking out a few double stars. The scope makes a full 180 turn and lands on this pretty binary. The two stars are nicely spaced apart and contrast in brightness. The primary appears a light golden yellow, while the secondary appears white.
Key Stats
| Constellation | Hercules |
| Best Viewing | Summer |
| Visual Magnitude | +5.7 | +8.7 |
| Absolute Visual Magnitude | +4.7 |
| Distance from Earth | 226 ly |
| Separation | 16.3″ | 556 AU |
| Position Angle | 195° |
| Milky Way Location | Orion Spur |
| My Viewing Grade | B |
| Designations | HD 149303, SAO 46147, STF 2063 |
Sources and Notes
Banner illustration was created by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and is under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Per ESO agreement: Here is the original image on the ESO website.
The Garden Astronomer 