The binary system, Struve 2486, was first recorded in 1819 by astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve. It can be easily observed through most modest backyard telescopes. Both stars in this binary system are bright, yellow and have a similar magnitude.. Also known as HD 179558 and SAO 48192 and HR 7293.
Author Archives: Wayne McGraw
Struve 2470 and 2474: Lyra’s Other Entrancing Double Double
During summertime and autumn, Struve 2470 and 2474 make for an entrancing sight in the night sky. These two double-star systems are located close to each other and appear parallel due to their orientation. These four stars can appear in the eyepiece together, making for a beautiful harmony in the cosmos. Also known as SAO 67870 and SAO 67875.
Struve 2063: A Golden Pair in Hercules
100 Herculis is a close binary star of two equally bright stars like diamonds on black velvet. The binary lies in the constellation Hercules and is enjoyed on summer nights.
Struve 2840: An Easy to See Blue and White Pair in Cepheus
The double star Struve 2840 is located in the northern sky within the constellation Cepheus. Backyard astronomers should find it pretty easy to separate Struve 2840’s two stars, which are separated by 18 arcseconds. The pair is also known as STF 2840, SAO 33819, HD 208063, HR 8357.
Kappa Cephei: A Cosmic Dance Between a Bright and Dim Star
Kappa Cephei, also known as κ Cep and SAO 9665, is a binary star located in the Cepheus constellation. This pair is a tight, but pretty double viewed through a telescope and a good target for backyard astronomers. This system, discovered in 1782, is especially appealing because one star is brighter than the other. Learn about this autumn gem and what you can expect to see through your telescope.
Omicron Cephei: A Challenging but Rewarding Pair in Cepheus
Omicron Cephei, a binary star system situated in the northern sky in the constellation, Cepheus, consists of two contrasting stars; an F-type primary star and a G-type giant companion. This pair’s binary nature was first noted in 1832, and it lies 203 light years away, requiring a moderately-sized telescope for viewing. The binary is also known as SAO 20554, Struve STF 3001, HIP 115088.
Jupiter: King of the Nighttime Sky
Jupiter is not just a planet. It’s a dreamland of astronomical proportions. From its giant storms to its mysterious moons, something about Jupiter captures our imagination and fuels our sense of wonder. I show what the planet looks like through a backyard scope and includes an astrophoto of the planet using a DSLR camera.
Struve 2816 and 2819: Fantastic Stars in Cepheus
Struve 2816 and 2819 make their home in the constellation Cepheus. This much-loved autumn constellation boasts several remarkable celestial objects.
Sketch of Struve 2816 and Struve 2819 as shown in the same 12mm eyepiece in a 8-inch SCT scope. Both sets of double and triple stars are beautiful in the constellation Cepheus. The drawing shows both sets of star also known as STF 2819 and 2816. Also go by (SAO 33626, HD 206267, HR 8281) and (SAO 33652, HD 206482)
The Garden Astronomer 