49 Leonis, also cataloged as TX Leonis or Struve 1450, is a variable and binary star in the constellation Leo. It is a tight binary target.
Author Archives: Wayne McGraw
Astronomy Books and Resources
A curated collection of favorite astronomy books, guides, and mobile apps for the backyard observer.
Lowell Observatory
Trace a lifetime of stargazing at Lowell Observatory in Arizona, from Clyde Tombaugh’s discovery of Pluto to the legacy of Robert Burnham Jr.
Messier 44 (NGC 2632): A Swarm of Bees in Cancer
From Ptolemy describing M44 as a “nebulous mass in the breast of cancer” to Chinese astronomers calling it a “cloud of pollen,” the Beehive has held the attention of skywatchers over the ages. Also known Messier 44, Praesepe, and NGC 2632.
Messier 67 (NGC 2682): The Ancient King Cobra Cluster
Messier 67, also known as the King Cobra cluster or NGC 2682, is an open star cluster in the constellation of cancer. It’s best viewed in late winter and early spring. It is one of the oldest known star clusters and contains more than 500 stars!
Struve 1520: A Double of Yellow and Blue, Yellow—or Maybe Red
Overview of double star Struve 1520, STF 1520, as viewed through an 8-inch SCT scope under suburban skies. This is a double star of gold and red colors in constellation Ursa Major. The pair lie 12.7 arcseconds apart and make for a good double star target with a smaller scope.
NGC 1502: A Rich Cluster Meets a Cascade of Stars
NGC 1502 is a rich, attractive open star cluster in the constellation Camelopardalis. The cluster lies at one end of the notable asterism Kemble’s Cascade. Backyard astronomers will larger binoculars or smaller scopes will enjoy seeing both!
6 Leonis: A Glowing Orange Star with a “Dusky” Companion
6 Leonis is a double star in the constellation Leo. The primary star is a orange-red giant with a secondary star positioned 37″ arc seconds away.
The Garden Astronomer 