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”
Tag Archives: Spring
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.
Struve 1825: A Close Orange and Yellow Double in Boötes
Struve 1825, sits near the bright star Arcturus and has an orange and yellow pair sitting in Boötes.
Gamma Virginis “Porrima”: Twins Pulling Apart
Not far from Virgo’s beautiful blue Spica is the double star Gamma Virginis. Also known as Porrima, this star is the second brightest in the springtime constellation of Virgo. At first glance, from a suburban location with light pollution, Porrima appears as a dim, white star. However, looking through the telescope, one will find twoContinueContinue reading “Gamma Virginis “Porrima”: Twins Pulling Apart”
Mizar: A Double Star Known for Generations
My guess is Mizar is the first double star most people ever see. When Ursa Major (the “Big Dipper”) takes its place high in the springtime sky, casual skygazers can point out the bright double star in the middle of the ladle called Mizar. Its companion, called Alcor, shines almost as bright, making both starsContinueContinue reading “Mizar: A Double Star Known for Generations”
Messier 92 (NGC 6341): A Chandelier of Stars
On summer nights, when the constellation Hercules makes its way to the top of the sky, two of the greatest globular clusters tag along: Messier 13 and Messier 92. These ancient objects of the universe are must-see objects, and one can get a good view of them with a simple pair of binoculars. Many observersContinueContinue reading “Messier 92 (NGC 6341): A Chandelier of Stars”
The Garden Astronomer 