Observations Under Suburban Skies
Struve 2540 (HD 184360) is a triple star system in the constellation Vulpecula. The stars lie in the popular Brocchi’s Cluster, nicknamed the Coat Hanger.
STF 2540 may be a tight pair to view under light-polluted stars, but astronomers will appeciate the view as the double floats among a pretty background of faint stars.
The Coathanger asterism, located in the constellation Vulpecula, is a distinctive pattern of ten stars resembling an old wire hanger. Initially described by Al Sufi in the 10th century, it’s not a true star cluster but an asterism. Ideal for binocular viewing, it’s perfect for casual stargazers. Also known as Brocchi’s Cluster and cataloged as Collinder 399.
Mu Cephei, also known as the Garnet Star, is a red supergiant star in the constellation Cepheus. It’s best viewed in autumn.
Zeta Aquarii, a binary star system in Aquarius, is about 92 light-years away. First identified by William Herschel in 1777, it appears as a single point to the naked eye. Both stars are similar F-type main-sequence stars, orbiting each other every 587 years, exhibiting complexity beneath their apparent simplicity. This post explores the star and illustrates what it looks like in the telescope. Also known as: STF 2909, SAO 146108, HIP 110960, GC 31398, HR 8558, Zet1 Aqr, 55 Aquarii, HD 213052, 55 Aqr
Learn about Epsilon Arietis, a close binary white pair of stars in the constellation Aries, best viewed on autumn and winter nights. The two stars only lie 1.3 arcseconds apart, so a telescope will be needed to see both stars also known as Struve 333, STF 333, Eps Ari, SAO 75673, HD 18519, HR 887, HIP 13914, 48 Ari.
NGC 7006, an elusive globular cluster located 135,000 light-years away in the constellation Delphinus, offers a unique challenge for amateur astronomers. Its faint visual magnitude of 10.6 makes it hard to detect, revealing a compact cluster over time through powerful telescopes. Observing it connects viewers with distant cosmic history. Also known as Caldwell 42.
The constellation Equuleus, known as the Little Horse, features the intriguing triple star system Struve 2793, discovered by Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve in 1827. Despite its faintness, the system includes a bright primary star and a distant companion, offering rewarding views for patient astronomers during summer and early autumn.
Also cataloged as SAO 126783, HD 203943, HIP 105743, and STF 2793
OR Delphini, also known as Struve 2725, is a binary star in the constellation Delpinus. With a wider eyepiece, one can view this binary and the double star Gamma Delphini together, making a notable double-double that shouldn’t be missed.
The star is also known as Struve 2725, SAO 106466, HD 197913, HIP 102490, OR Del
The Garden Astronomer