Anser is a bright optical double star in the constellation Vulpecula. It is a member of the Arcturus stream, meaning the Milky Way stole the star from a dwarf galaxy in the past.
Author Archives: Wayne McGraw
VV Cephei: The Colossal Supergiant of Cepheus
Explore VV Cephei, a massive red / orange supergiant in Cepheus. Find viewing tips, photos, and sketches for this rare and fascinating star.
Viewing Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon in Autumn Skies
Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) brightens in the sky as 2025’s top comet. A rare long-period visitor visible in fall nights for eager stargazers.
Struve 331: A Binary of White and Blue-Green in Perseus
Struve 331 (HD 18537) is an optical double star in the constellation Perseus, bet viewed in Autumn. The pair of stars feature a bright white primary and a secondary fainter star that’s blue. Backyard astronomers should be able to split the double easily with most scopes to find that the bright white contrasted against the blue star makes for a pretty enchanting pair.
This double is also known as STF 331 and SAO 23763.
SHJ 282 (STT 525): A Multiple System of Orange and Blue in Lyra
Otto Struve 525 (aka STT 525) is a triple-star system that features a golden primary (Star A) with two companions (stars B & C) in the constellation Lyra. The Star C is a pretty blue color. Also known as SAO 67566.
Viewing Comet C/2025 R2 SWAN in October Skies
Discover Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2), its rare discovery by SOHO’s SWAN instrument, and its close approach to Earth in October 2025.
Chi Cygni: The Pulsating Beauty of Cygnus
Explore Chi Cygni, a variable red giant in Cygnus whose rhythmic brightening and fading reveal the life cycles of stars. Includes new astrophotography.
About
The Garden Astronomer website is an online diary of personal astronomical observations from suburban light polluted skies. It contains popular objects viewable without a large investment in equipments as most the targets can be seen using small to moderate-sized telescopes. This page also includes reflections from Wayne McGraw on his return to observing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Garden Astronomer 