Don’t let the obscure name prevent you from visiting this triple star. It’s a colorful triple star lineup.
Tag Archives: Spring
HD 184936: Tangerine Dream Double Star in Draco
This double star is notable for its wide separation and tangerine-colored primary star in Draco.
Mu Draconis: Two Exquisite Stars Look Back at Me
Mu Draconis is an exquisite double star in the constellation Draco as both stars are the same color and size. For me, it appears as if two small eyes peered back from the depths of the universe.
Omicron Draconis (47 Draconis): Mercury’s North Star
Omicron Draconis, also known as 47 Draconis, is a double star in the constellation Draco. The primary star shines an orange/red hue. Also, let’s pretend you are standing on the planet Mercury and not melting. The “north star” on Mercury is Omicron Draconis as it’s the closest star to Mercury’s north celestial pole. My ObservationsContinueContinue reading “Omicron Draconis (47 Draconis): Mercury’s North Star”
Spica: Beautiful Blue Light of the Spring Night
On spring nights, the solitary blue star Spica rises in the eastern sky standing seemingly alone in the constellation Virgo. Spica will always be a special star to me. You see, in my teenage years, I stayed up into the early morning hours to catch a last glimpse of the Orion Nebula and other deepContinueContinue reading “Spica: Beautiful Blue Light of the Spring Night”
Messier 104 (NGC 4594): The Stunning Sombrero Galaxy
We view this stunning galaxy almost edge-on. In this lair of light lives a supermassive black hole.
Nu Draconis: A Bright Double Shines Like Diamond Earrings
Most double stars are too dim, or close together, to identify with an average pair of binoculars. A few, however, can be enjoyed this way. The ever popular Mizar in Ursa Major comes to mind. Another double star bright enough with good separation is Nu Draconis in Draco. The individual stars, called ν1 Draconis and ν2 Draconis,ContinueContinue reading “Nu Draconis: A Bright Double Shines Like Diamond Earrings”
NGC 6210: The Turtle-Looking Planetary Nebula
NGC 6210 is a dim planetary nebula in Hercules, 6,600 light-years away. A subtle telescope target best seen from dark-sky locations near M13.
The Garden Astronomer 