This nebula is notable for looking like a person with a hood on. In reality, a dying star ejected its outer layers of gas to create the fuzzy cloud I see in my telescope.
Author Archives: Wayne McGraw
Rigel: Shine On, You Crazy Diamond
Rigel is one of the most popular stars in the sky as it marks the foot of thee constellation Orion. It is a blue-white supergiant star, and when you look at it closer, you’ll find a small companion star floating in Rigel’s glow.
118 Tauri: A Nice Double Star in Taurus
If you are sailing through Taurus with your telescope, be sure to stop by the blue-white star of 118 Tauri. With enough magnification, you’ll be able to see this is actually a double star, and it appears like a little animal with beady eyes is looking back at you. My Observations DateDecember 28, 2020Time8:10 p.m.LocationSeattle,ContinueContinue reading “118 Tauri: A Nice Double Star in Taurus”
Hyades: The Closest Star Cluster to Earth and Face of Taurus
Hyades is an open star cluster in the constellation of Taurus. It’s best viewed in winter through early spring. Observers should be able to see Hyades from most locations with the unaided eye. At only 150 light years from earth, Hyades is the closest star cluster to earth. My Observations December 28, 2020 | 7:53ContinueContinue reading “Hyades: The Closest Star Cluster to Earth and Face of Taurus”
Eta Cassiopeiae (Achird): A Colorful Double Star in Cassiopeia
Eta Cassiopeiae, also known as Achird, is a double-star system in the constellation Cassiopeia. It’s best viewed in autumn through early winter. What’s also notable is how close Achird is to us. Relatively, this double is very close at only 19 light-years away.
16 Cygni: A Double Dose of Yellow Stars in Cygnus
16 Cygni is a double star system in the constellation Cygnus. It’s best viewed in summer through early autumn. By the way, Cygnus is also known as the Northern Cross. 16 Cygni is the right-hand star in the cross. With a small telescope, you’ll be able to see this nice pair of sun-like stars. Known as SAO 31898.
NGC 7686: A Trapezoid-Looking Cluster in Andromeda
The NGC 7686 is an open star cluster in the constellation Andromeda with a buttery yellow star making its mark. It was discovered on December 3, 1787.
Messier 39 (NGC 7092): A Larger Cluster of Straggling Stars in Cygnus
This collection of around 30 stars is only 800-1000 light years away, closer to us than many star clusters. Due to its close proximity, it’s larger and spread across a region larger than the moon.
The Garden Astronomer 