Winter – The Garden Astronomer

Messier 76: The Little Dumbbell Nebula in Perseus

Shows Messier 76 planetary nebula featuring bright bar in the middle with colorful lobes protruding from top and bottom

Learn about Messier 76, the Little Dumbbell Nebula in Perseus, a bipolar planetary nebula with twin lobes and a scorching central star. Includes personal observations and Seestar images.

NGC 752: A Scattered Star Cluster with Some Sparks

Photo of the NGC 752 star cluster, showing the cluster of stars.

NGC 752 is a loose open star cluster in Andromeda, best seen in autumn and winter, offering subtle beauty and a glimpse into stellar aging.

The Quadrantids Meteor Shower and the Turning of the Year

Watch the Quadrantids meteor shower peak in early January. Explore its history, origins, and the fleeting brilliance of winter’s skies.

STT 461 in Cepheus: A Multiple Star System—or a Cosmic Illusion?

Shows the stars in the multiple star system of STT 461 in constellation Cepheus

The double star Struve 2840 is located in the northern sky within the constellation Cepheus. Backyard astronomers should find it pretty easy to separate Struve 2840’s two stars, which are separated by 18 arcseconds. The pair is also known as STF 2840, SAO 33819, HD 208063, HR 8357.