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.
Author Archives: Wayne McGraw
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.
54 Virginis: A Close Pair of Stars Near the Celestial Equator
54 Virginis is a double star in the spring constellation of Virgo. The stars are fairly close together but can be split with a telescope.This double is also known as LM Vie, SAO 157799, or HIP 64520.
Struve 1659: The Stargate Cluster (Asterism) in Corvus
Learn about the star cluster Struve 1659 also known as the Stargate Cluster. The object is an asterism in the southern constellation of Corvus best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere in the spring.
SS Virginis: An Orange-Red Variable and Carbon Star in Virgo
SS Virginis (SS Vir) is a Mira variable and carbon star located in the constellation Virgo, best viewed in springtime. It pulsated over a period of 361 days.
Ceres: The Largest Object in the Asteroid Belt
Ceres is a dwarf planet located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It is the largest object in the asteroid belt. Giuseppe Piazzi discovered Ceres on January 1, 1801.
Struve 1835: A Double Star of Brilliant White and Deep Yellow in Boötes
Struve 1835 is an attractive double star in the northern constellation of Boötes. It’s best viewed during the springtime. Observers can view this binary with its white and deep yellow companion using a small telescope, even from the suburbs. The binary is also known as SAO 120426, HD 126129, HR 5386.
12 Comae Berenices: A Bright Double Star Greets You in Coma Berenices
12 Comae Berenices is a pretty double star in the northern constellation of Coma Berenices. At a magnitude around +4.8, backyard astronomers can enjoy this bright binary on spring nights.
The Garden Astronomer 