Learn about the pretty double star HD 118266 in the constellation Virgo viewed on spring nights. The star also known as HJ 228, is a binary star that has a orange primary and a dimmer blue companion that lies far apart enough for smaller scopes to observe. It’s also known as SAO 100630, HIP 66326, HR 5114.
Tag Archives: Spring
23 Ursae Majoris: A Stellar Duo in The Great Bear
Ursa Major is a familiar sight in the northern night sky, home to the easily recognizable Big Dipper. While the stars of the Dipper often steal the show, the constellation is filled with other fascinating celestial objects, including one of my favorite galaxies, M51. Amongst all these significant objects is the binary star system 23ContinueContinue reading “23 Ursae Majoris: A Stellar Duo in The Great Bear”
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
Messier 106: A Galaxy with Unique Arms in Canes Venatici
Within the constellation Canes Venatici, or NGC 4258, is Messier 106 with it’s arms made of gas and dust. Most observers with a modest telescope can make out Messier 106’s relatively bright and distinct structure. And speaking of structure, one of the most fascinating aspects of M 106 is its unique arms. Unlike typical spiral galaxies where the arms are composed mainly of stars, the extra arms of M106 are composed of vast amounts of gas.
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.
NGC 3115: The Spindle Galaxy with a Supermassive Black Hole
Within the constellation Sextans, the Spindle Galaxy, or NGC 3115, is observed edge-on from Earth, displaying a lens-like appearance. Discovered by William Herschel in 1787, it is a lenticular galaxy with a central bulge housing a supermassive black hole. Despite its massive size, the black hole shows subdued behavior, emitting faint radiation. Observations in March 2024 in Seattle revealed its distinct appearance, in line with previous descriptions.
The Garden Astronomer 