Wayne McGraw

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.

38 Geminorum: A Pleasing Binary of Orange and Light Blue in Gemini

38 Geminorum is a 4th magnitude binary star in the Gemini constellation best viewed on winter nights. Backyard astronomers under suburban skies should be able to split this nice orange and light blue pair with any scope or binoculars. Also designated as STF 982 and SEO 96265.

Struve 1108: A Double of Yellow and Blue with Caldwell 39 Nearby

Overview of double star Struve 1108, STF 1108, as viewed through an 8-inch SCT scope under suburban skies. This is a double star of gold and blue colors in constellation Gemini. The pair lie 11.7 arcseconds apart and make for a good double star target with a smaller scope.

The Green Comet of 2023 (C/2022 E3 ZTF)

Just when I thought it would be many years for another bright comet to appear after 2020’s Neowise, Comet ZTF arrived on the scene in early 2023. The comet is known as C/2022 E3 ZTF.

Chi Tauri: A Double with Deep Purple Secondary

Chi Tauri is a pretty white-dark blue double star in the winter constellation Taurus. The secondary component, a yellow G2 class, actually looks purple!

Messier 36 (NGC 1960): A Pinwheel of Stars

Messier 36, nicknamed the Pinwheel Cluster, is an open cluster in the constellation of Auriga. It is best viewed in winter through early spring. Approximately 60 stars make up the cluster, with many of the brightest stars making straggling lines or chains streaming from the center.

Phi Tauri: Double Star of Gold and Blue

Phi Tauri, also known as Phi Tau or 52 Tau, appears in the constellation Taurus and is best viewed on winter nights. This optical double star features a bright golden primary star with a blue companion, which make a great target with a telescope or binoculars.