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)”
Author Archives: Wayne McGraw
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”
Messier 104 (NGC 4594): The Stunning Sombrero Galaxy
We view this stunning galaxy almost edge-on. In this lair of light lives a supermassive black hole.
Nu Draconis: A Bright Double Shines Like Diamond Earrings
Most double stars are too dim, or close together, to identify with an average pair of binoculars. A few, however, can be enjoyed this way. The ever popular Mizar in Ursa Major comes to mind. Another double star bright enough with good separation is Nu Draconis in Draco. The individual stars, called ν1 Draconis and ν2 Draconis,ContinueContinue reading “Nu Draconis: A Bright Double Shines Like Diamond Earrings”
41 Draconis: Creamy-Looking Double Star in Draco
40 and 41 Draconis form a double star system in the constellation Draco. Since they have fairly bright magnitudes and good separation, most observers with small telescopes should be able to split this pair. I suggest first-time observers first study their pale-yellow color. Some observers have noted they are a cream color. Then, slew yourContinueContinue reading “41 Draconis: Creamy-Looking Double Star in Draco”
NGC 6210: The Turtle-Looking Planetary Nebula
NGC 6210 is a dim planetary nebula in Hercules, 6,600 light-years away. A subtle telescope target best seen from dark-sky locations near M13.
Struve 1825: A Close Orange and Yellow Double in Boötes
Struve 1825, sits near the bright star Arcturus and has an orange and yellow pair sitting in Boötes.
Gamma Virginis “Porrima”: Twins Pulling Apart
Not far from Virgo’s beautiful blue Spica is the double star Gamma Virginis. Also known as Porrima, this star is the second brightest in the springtime constellation of Virgo. At first glance, from a suburban location with light pollution, Porrima appears as a dim, white star. However, looking through the telescope, one will find twoContinueContinue reading “Gamma Virginis “Porrima”: Twins Pulling Apart”
The Garden Astronomer 