17 Canis Majoris is a dim star located in the southern constellation of Canis Major, with a visible magnitude of +5.8 under dark sky conditions. Seeing 17 Canis Majoris up close unveils two nearby orange-colored stars of, creating an attractive triangle system. The system is also known as H V 65, 17 CMa, SAO 172569, HD 51055, HR 2588.
Tag Archives: Winter
NGC 2353: Taking a Trip to Avery’s Island, a Star Cluster in Monoceros
The faint winter constellation Monoceros features a nice collection of star clusters and deep sky objects, including the famous Christmas Tree cluster and Avery’s Island, also known as NGC 2353. The cluster features more than 100 stars.
NGC 2169: A “37” Tattooed on Orion’s Outstretched Arm
High above Orion’s Nebula and belt lies the star cluster NGC 2169, affectionately known as the “37 Cluster.” This arrangement of stars earned its nickname due to its resemblance to the number 37 when viewed through a small telescope or binoculars. It’s also known as Collinder 83, XY Cluster, and the LE Cluster
Meissa (Lambda Orionis): A Luminous Multiple Star in Orion
Marking Orion’s head is the bright star, Meissa. But it’s more than that. Aim your binoculars or telescope toward Meissa, and you’ll find a beautiful grouping of related stars. The star is also known as SAO 112921, HD 36861, Lam Ori, Struve 738, STF 738, HD 36861, λ Ori.
The star is part of the Collinder 69 cluster.
HR 1997 (HD 38693): A Wide Binary Star in Taurus
In the winter constellation of Taurus, lies HR 1997, a fairly faint binary that you can see with any moderate backyard telescope. The good news is the pair of stars lie far apart, 75 arcseconds, from each other. The double is also known as SAO 77578, ADS 4392, HR 1997, HD 38693, HIP 27421, BD+20 1105.
IC 348: A Stellar Nursery and Fireworks Show in Perseus
IC 348 is a beautiful star cluster wrapped in a veil of milky nebulosity. On autumn and winter nights, turn your attention to the Perseus constellation and this cosmic cradle where stars are born. It’s also known as C 0341+321, Collinder 41.
Rho Orionis (Struve 654): An Orange-Yellow Double in Orion
The double star Rho Orionis, also known as SAO 112528, features a orange-colored primary in the winter constellation of Orion. The pair of stars lies closely to each other, only separated by 6.5 arcseconds in distance.
Struve 649: A White-Blue Primary with a Dim Blue Companion in Eridanus
Struve 649 is a double star featuring a fairly bright primary white-blue colored variable star with a dimmer blue companion nearby. This quaint pair lie in the constellation Eridanus, the river, best viewed in winter.
The primary star in Struve 649 is a variable star lingering around the 5th magnitude. This blue-white star has a stellar classification of B8V. At a friendly distance of 21.3 arcseconds away, the secondary star is more blue in color and is much dimmer at a magnitude of +9. This pair is also known as STF 649, SAO 131806, HD 33224, HR 1671.
Struve 742 (HD 37013): A Tight Binary Star Nestled Up to the Crab Nebula
The binary star Struve 742, also known as HD 37013, lies near the famous Crab Nebula in the constellation Taurus and lies 220 light years from Earth. The tight pair is best viewed on winter nights with a telescope. Also known as SAO 77313.
e Tauri (Struve 452): A Blue Primary with a Dim Companion in Taurus
e Tauri is a double star featuring a bright primary blue star with a dimmer secondary star in the constellation Taurus, the Bull. The magnitude +5 primary star shines blue and is classified as stellar type B3V. The dimmer viewable secondary star, at magnitude +9.8, appears white in color and is classified as a yellow-white F5V star. The two stars are separated by 9.2 arcseconds and lie 139 light years away from Earth. Also known as 30 Tau, SAO 93611, HD 23792, HR 1174, STF 452.
The Garden Astronomer 