Explore the wide double star ARY 33 in Cassiopeia—its characteristics, discovery history, and tips for amateur stargazers to observe this unique stellar pair.
Author Archives: Wayne McGraw
Schedar: The Bright Heart of Cassiopeia
Explore the bright orange star Schedar (α Cassiopeiae) in Cassiopeia. Discover its key facts, visual companions, and a personal observation guide for amateur astronomers. Also known as Alpha Cass and SAO 21609, α Cas, HIP 3179, HR 168, HD 3712, 18 Cas, GC 792
Vesta: The Asteroid You Can Actually See
Explore 4 Vesta, the second-largest object in the asteroid belt and a rare protoplanet. Discover its massive craters, iron core, and the key findings of the NASA Dawn mission.
Antares: Across the Skylines
Follow a lifetime of stargazing from Denver to the Gulf Coast, as the red fire of Antares bridges decades of memory, solitude, and celestial wonder.
Ankaa: The Ember in Phoenix
Discover Ankaa, a warm orange giant star in Phoenix. See where to find it, its history, and why it shines as a hidden gem of the southern sky.
Nu Boötis: The Pretty Optical Double Star in Boötes
Nu Boötis, also known as Nu-1 and Nu-2 Boötis, is a striking optical double star in the constellation Boötes. This colorful star pair, visible in binoculars and small telescopes, delights stargazers with its contrasting magnitudes and beauty in spring and summer skies.
Fomalhaut: The Lonely Star of Autumn Skies
Learn how to find Fomalhaut, the Lonely Star of Autumn, and uncover its planetary disk and astronomy details for stargazers.
57 Aquilae: A Light Topaz Blue Double
Tucked away in the Eagle’s wing, 57 Aquilae shines as a quiet pair of stellar companions. I spent some time at the eyepiece with this beautiful double star—here’s what I saw and why it left an impression.
The Garden Astronomer 