24 Cancri, located in the spring constellation Cancer, is known as a triple star system, but backyard astronomers will only see a pair of nearly identical and pretty white-yellow stars, Learn more about the pair and see how they look through an 8-inch SLT scope. The pair is also known as 24 Cnc A, HD 71152, HR 3312, SAO 80184, STF 1224, Struve 1224, and upsilon.
Author Archives: Wayne McGraw
Struve 2793: A Serene Double Star in Equuleus
The constellation Equuleus, known as the Little Horse, features the intriguing triple star system Struve 2793, discovered by Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve in 1827. Despite its faintness, the system includes a bright primary star and a distant companion, offering rewarding views for patient astronomers during summer and early autumn.
Also cataloged as SAO 126783, HD 203943, HIP 105743, and STF 2793
OR Delphini (STF 2725): A Binary Star That Makes an Attractive Double-Double in Delphinus
OR Delphini, also known as Struve 2725, is a binary star in the constellation Delpinus. With a wider eyepiece, one can view this binary and the double star Gamma Delphini together, making a notable double-double that shouldn’t be missed.
The star is also known as Struve 2725, SAO 106466, HD 197913, HIP 102490, OR Del
August Nights Under the Perseid Meteor Shower
Childhood memories and ancient starlight meet under the vast Colorado sky.
17 Cygni (Struve 2580): A Pleasing Binary Star in the Swan’s Neck
The constellation Cygnus features the binary star 17 Cygni, located 69 light-years away. Composed of two stars, 17 Cygni A and B, it is faintly visible to the naked eye. This complex system, along with another binary pair, showcases intriguing dynamics reminiscent of a cosmic dance in the night sky. Also known as: SAO 68827, 17 Cyg, HR 7534, HD 187013, HIP 97295, STF 2580
61 Ophiuchi: A Nicely Resolvable Binary Star in Ophiuchus
The constellation Ophiuchus features the binary star 61 Ophiuchi, a bright pair visible through small telescopes. Discovered by Herschel in 1781, it is cataloged as STF 2202. The stars, classified as hot and white, exhibit an angular separation of 20.7 arcseconds, making them accessible and visually appealing to amateur astronomers. Also known as 61 Oph, Struve 2202, STF 2202, SAO 122690, HD 161270, HR 6609, HIP 86831
Lenses of Legacy: Great Telescopes that Opened Our Eyes to the Heavens
Follow a lifetime of stargazing through ten historic telescopes, from Galileo’s first refractor to the Hale, that reshaped our vision of the universe.
Messier 22 (NGC 6656): A Cosmic Heavyweight Just Off the Teapot
Messier 22 (M22) is a bright and nearby globular cluster in Sagittarius, notable for its unique features such as a planetary nebula and two black holes. Discovered by Abraham Ihle in 1665 and later cataloged by Charles Messier in 1764, M22 provides insights into the early Milky Way and is ideal for observation. Also known as NGC 6656.
The Garden Astronomer 