The binary star T Coronae Borealis is expected to go nova in 2024. To prepare for this stellar event, I share why it’s special and share how the star appears before it explodes using an astrophoto and a sketch taken from my backyard in Seattle in June 2024. The binary is also registered as T CrB, SAO 84129, HR 5958, HD 143454, HIP 78322.
Category Archives: Double/Multiple Stars
Delta Boötis (Princeps): A Golden Yellow Double Star in Boötes
On spring and summer nights, the double star Delta Boötis shines down from the northern constellation of Boötes, the Herdsman. The two stars are wide apart in the sky, making them an easy target to find. Accounting for the significant separation between the two and the beautiful golden hue of the primary star, this double star instantly becomes a gem for backyard astronomers. The pair is also known by the following: Del Boo, STFA 27, SAO 64589, HD 135722, 49 Bootis, δ Boo, HR 5681, HIP 74666
17 Canum Venaticorum: A Wide Pair of Pearly White Stars
The double white star 17 Canum Venaticorum lies in the spring northern constellation of Canes Venatici. The stars that make this nice double lie 275 arcseconds apart and lie 206 light years from Earth. The pair is also known as 17 CVn, STFA 24, SAO 63380, HD
114447, HR 4971, HIP 64246, 16 CVn.
HD 120164: An Orange and Yellowish Binary in Canes Venatici
Nestled in the northern constellation of Canes Venatici, Latin for “the Hunting Dogs,” the double star HD 120164 features an attractive orange giant paired with a dimmer yellow-white star. The binary is also known as SAO 63739 and HR 5186.
2 Canum Venaticorum: A Cherry Red Giant Double in Canes Venatici
Nestled in the northern constellation of Canes Venatici, Latin for “the Hunting Dogs,” the double star 2 Canum Venaticorum (also known as Struve 1622) offers a captivating sight for those who love double stars. Observers can catch this pair in the northern sky in the spring and early summer months near the more famous constellation Ursa Major. The double star is also known as SAO 44097, 2 CVn, STF 1622, HIP 59827, HD 106690, HR 4666.
Theta Cancri: A Gem in the Crab
Theta Cancri is a pretty double star in the spring constellation of Cancer. The primary star shines a pretty red-orange color. The star is also known as 31 CNC, SAO 97881, HD 72094, HIP 41822, HR 3357
24 Cancri (Struve 1224): A Quaint Triple Star in Cancer
24 Cancri, located in the spring constellation Cancer, is known as a triple star system, but backyard astronomers will only see a pair of nearly identical and pretty white-yellow stars, Learn more about the pair and see how they look through an 8-inch SLT scope. The pair is also known as 24 Cnc A, HD 71152, HR 3312, SAO 80184, STF 1224, Struve 1224, and upsilon.
17 Canis Majoris: Herschel’s Colorful “Treble” in Canis Major
17 Canis Majoris is a dim star located in the southern constellation of Canis Major, with a visible magnitude of +5.8 under dark sky conditions. Seeing 17 Canis Majoris up close unveils two nearby orange-colored stars of, creating an attractive triangle system. The system is also known as H V 65, 17 CMa, SAO 172569, HD 51055, HR 2588.
Algol (Beta Persei): The Devilish Winking Star
In the constellation of Perseus, around 93 light-years away, lies Algol, also known as the “Demon Star.” It’s a binary system where a dimmer star eclipses the brighter one every 2.87 days, causing a noticeable change in brightness, creating a characteristic “blink” that has fascinated observers for centuries. The star is also known as Beta Persei, β Per, 26 Persei, HD 19356, HIP 14576, HR 936, and SAO 38592.
Meissa (Lambda Orionis): A Luminous Multiple Star in Orion
Marking Orion’s head is the bright star, Meissa. But it’s more than that. Aim your binoculars or telescope toward Meissa, and you’ll find a beautiful grouping of related stars. The star is also known as SAO 112921, HD 36861, Lam Ori, Struve 738, STF 738, HD 36861, λ Ori.
The star is part of the Collinder 69 cluster.
The Garden Astronomer 