Mu Herculis, also known as μ Herculis or Struve 2220, is a star system only 27 light-years away from Earth shining down from the constellation Hercules. This summer binary features a yellow star like our sun and a red dwarf.
Author Archives: Wayne McGraw
Beta Lyrae (Sheliak): A Fast Star Dance in Lyra
The eclipsing binary of Beta Lyrae features two stars orbiting each other every 12.9 days!
Zeta Lyrae: Often Overlooked Pair of Stars in Lyra
Zeta Lyrae is a multiple star system in the constellation Lyra best viewed in summer and early autumn. The double star is easily viewed with any optical aid since the stars are bright and lie 44 arcseconds apart.
Struve 1904: A Nice Double Star in Virgo
The author explores the galaxies in the Virgo constellation, focusing on the double star STF 1904, discovered by Friedrich Struve in 1823. Comprising a subgiant primary and a main-sequence secondary star, they are 247 light years from Earth. Observations made in Seattle reveal their distinct separation and brightness.
Also known as: SAO 120822, HD 133408, HR 5610, HIP 73716, STF 1904
Struve 1919: Serpens Offers an Attractive Double of Peach and Blue
Struve 1919 is an attractive double star in the constellation of Serpens. It’s best viewed during the summer. The binary is also known as STF 1919, SAO 101438, HR5659, HD135101.
The Sun: Our Powerhouse
Our Sun, situated at the center of our solar system, serves as the gravitational anchor around which Earth and other celestial bodies revolve. Right now it is experiencing great solar activity.
Messier 101: The Pinwheel Galaxy and Brilliant Supernova SN 2023ixf
On May 19, 2023, a bright supernova appeared in one of the Pinwheel’s spiral arms. A week after, I captured it with my DSLR camera.
VY Ursae Majoris: A Beautiful Carbon Star in Ursa Major
VY Ursae Majoris (VY UMa) is a red hypergiant and popular carbon star located in the constellation Ursa Major. Best viewed in the springtime.
The Garden Astronomer 