Wayne McGraw

HD 184936: Tangerine Dream Double Star in Draco

An illustration of the double star system.

This double star is notable for its wide separation and tangerine-colored primary star in Draco.

Rasalgethi (Alpha Herculis): Magnificent Red Supergiant with a Bluish Friend

You can view the multiple star system Rasalgethi from the city without the aid of binoculars or a telescope. As a star in the constellation Hercules, it is viewable in late spring through summer. This red supergiant lies 380 light years away from us with a radius 400 times larger than our own sun! AccordingContinueContinue reading “Rasalgethi (Alpha Herculis): Magnificent Red Supergiant with a Bluish Friend”

Alya (Theta Serpentis): Stars of Yellow and Green

Alya, a three-star system in Serpens, has pale yellow stars spinning at incredible speeds. Explore this fast-rotating stellar trio through a telescope.

Delta Serpentis: Two Stars on the Verge of Becoming Giants

Delta Serpentis is a double star in the lesser-known constellation of Serpens, the serpent. It makes a for a pretty summertime target.

Mu Draconis: Two Exquisite Stars Look Back at Me

Mu Draconis is an exquisite double star in the constellation Draco as both stars are the same color and size. For me, it appears as if two small eyes peered back from the depths of the universe.

Omicron Draconis (47 Draconis): Mercury’s North Star

Omicron Draconis, also known as 47 Draconis, is a double star in the constellation Draco. The primary star shines an orange/red hue. Also, let’s pretend you are standing on the planet Mercury and not melting. The “north star” on Mercury is Omicron Draconis as it’s the closest star to Mercury’s north celestial pole. My ObservationsContinueContinue reading “Omicron Draconis (47 Draconis): Mercury’s North Star”

Dziban (31 Draconis)

Dziban is a double star in constellation Draco. It’s also know as 31 Draconis or Psi Draconis. The name Dziban is derived from Arabic “Adh-Dhi’ban,” which means “the two wolves.” This double is bright enough, and wide enough, to be viewed using binoculars. In 2015, astronomers discovered an exoplanet orbiting the secondary star (the dimmerContinueContinue reading “Dziban (31 Draconis)”

Spica: Beautiful Blue Light of the Spring Night

On spring nights, the solitary blue star Spica rises in the eastern sky standing seemingly alone in the constellation Virgo. Spica will always be a special star to me. You see, in my teenage years, I stayed up into the early morning hours to catch a last glimpse of the Orion Nebula and other deepContinueContinue reading “Spica: Beautiful Blue Light of the Spring Night”