Wayne McGraw

1 Camelopardalis: A White and Sapphire Blue Double Dances Around the Celestial Pole

1 Camelopardalis, also known as DL Cam, is a double and variable star in the constellation Camelopardalis and is viewable much of the year as it circles close to the North Star. The blue-white pair are fairly tight together at 10 arcseconds apart. They are also known as Struve 550 (STF 550), SAO 24670, HIP 21148

Messier 47 (NGC 2422): A Bright, Young Cluster in Southern Skies

Messier 47 graces the southern skies in the constellation Puppis. While only 50 or so stars make up this cluster, they are bright, blue, and ready to be enjoyed with binoculars or telescopes.

Messier 41 (NGC 2287): The Little Beehive in Canis Major

Messier 41 lies south of the bright star Sirius and covers an area nearly the size of the moon. I credit this wintertime cluster for inspiring my life-long love of astronomy. Learn why.

NGC 2232: A Bright Star Cluster at Home in the Gould Belt

NGC 2232 is an open star cluster that lies in the dim reaches of the constellation of Monoceros. Not to be overlooked, this cluster is attractive in the eyepiece and is part of the fascinating Gould Belt.

NGC 2244: A Star Cluster in a Rose

NGC 2244 is a bright and noteworthy cluster at the center of the Rosette Nebula. Backyard astronomers will appreciate the cluster is viewable with binoculars and small telescopes.