Winter – Page 11 – The Garden Astronomer

Castor: You Are Not Just Seeing Double

Known as one of the brightest stars in the sky and twin of Pollux, Castor is a bluish-white double star in the constellation of Gemini.

NGC 2264: A Christmas Tree Lights Up in Monoceros!

Don’t miss this large and attractive star cluster and nebula on cold winter nights.

NGC 1513: Open Cluster in Perseus

NGC 1513 is an open star cluster in the constellation Perseus. It’s best viewed in the winter. This is a scattered dim cluster that lies near the brighter and more prominent objects: NGC 1545 and NGC 1528. According to the book Sky Vistas by Craig Crossen, NGC 1513 is faint in part due to aContinueContinue reading “NGC 1513: Open Cluster in Perseus”

NGC 1528: A Star Cluster with a Water Fountain

NGC 1529 is an open star cluster in the constellation Perseus. It’s best viewed in the winter. Approximately 150 star makes up the constellation My Observations Date: March 11, 2021Time: 8:00 p.m.Location: Seattle, WashingtonScope: Meade 8″ ACFEyepiece: 20mmTemp: 53FSeeing: AverageTransparency: Average This cluster does have several bright stars; I count 15 prominent stars. On first glance, the stars look like theyContinueContinue reading “NGC 1528: A Star Cluster with a Water Fountain”

NGC 1545: A Colorful Triangle Cluster in Perseus

NGC 1545 is an open star cluster in the constellation Perseus. It’s best viewed in the winter at a magnitude of 6.19.

NGC 2360: Caroline’s Beautiful Cluster of Stars

Caroline Hershel, sister of the famous astronomer William Hershel who discovered Uranus, discovered this cluster more than 200 years ago on a winter’s night. Seeing this makes me reflect on the passing of time.

Delta Geminorum (Wasat): A Star With a Unique History

Wasat is the primary star in a triple star system in the constellation Gemini. It’s best viewed in the winter. At magnitude +3.5, Wasat is not difficult to find under suburban skies. As you look at Wasat, you’re looking at a historical area of the night sky. In February 1930, Kansas farmboy-turned-astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discoveredContinueContinue reading “Delta Geminorum (Wasat): A Star With a Unique History”

Struve 747: A Pair of Light Blue Topaz Stars

With many competing targets in the Orion neighborhood, it may be easy to overlook notable double stars such as Rigel and Struve 747 (also known by HR 1887). Struve 747 is a 4th magnitude double star in Orion and a worthy target on any winter night. When observing the pair, you’ll notice they are prettyContinueContinue reading “Struve 747: A Pair of Light Blue Topaz Stars”