Observations


Date/Time : 2003-06-29T02:30:00Z ± T05M --TO-- 2003-06-29T03:40:00Z ± T05M
Observer : Peter C. Chapin
Equipment :
Location :

My plan for the evening was to look at some double stars in Lyr.


Object ADS-12540
Name β Cyg
Type star/multiple
Constellation Cyg
Magnitudes A=3.1 B=5.1
Separations AB=34.4"

NOTES

There is no doubt that this is one of the finest doubles in the sky. It was easily resolvable in the 25mm (48x) and could also be resolved in my 8x finder 'scope. The pair had striking, contrasting colors: the primary was yellow orange and the secondary was very blue.

I attempted to resolve the pair using my 10x60 binoculars. I found it difficult to hold the binoculars steady enough to get a satisfactory view. However, it appeared to me that the pair was resolving. It was more difficult to split in the binoculars, however, than, for example, ζ Lyr.


Object NGC-6791
Type cluster/open
Constellation Lyr

NOTES

In the 10x60 binoculars I could see what appeared to be a fuzzy spot in the right location. On the other hand, the star fields in Lyr are so rich that one can see fuzzy spots all over the place. It's hard to know if I was really seeing light from the cluster or instead non-cluster stars just beyond the binocular's limit.

With the 25mm eyepiece (48x) I found the cluster to be on the faint side. With averted vision I could see a few stars—perhaps foreground stars or bright members—but mostly the object only appeared as a faint fuzzy mass. It seemed somewhat large (compared, for example, to a similarly faint galaxy) and had relatively low surface brightness. It seemed to have an irregular shape. I got the impression that the cluster contains a lot of stars.


Object ADS-12145
Type star/multiple
Position RA=19h09.5m, DEC=+38d42m (B1950.0)
Constellation Lyr
Magnitudes A=8.2 B=8.3
Separations AB=4.3"

NOTES

This was an interesting double for me. I don't recall ever looking at a double before where both components were below 8th magnitude. The unusual faintness of the pair made it tricky to locate definitively and harder to see (with "staring" direct vision) than normal.

Despite the difficulties I was able to resolve the pair without problems. I got some hints of resolution with the 25mm eyepiece (48x) but the best view was with the 18mm. The slightly higher power showed the double very nicely. In fact, it was a very interesting and satisfying pair.


Object ADS-12093
Type star/multiple
Position RA=19h06.9m, DEC=+34d41m (B1950.0)
Constellation Lyr
Magnitudes A=6.9 B=8.4
Separations AB=13.5"
Object ADS-12101
Type star/multiple
Position RA=19h07.2m, DEC=+34d31m (B1950.0)
Constellation Lyr
Magnitudes A=6.8 B=8.2
Separations AB=16.7"

NOTES

This pair of doubles made for an exceptionally fine view in the 25mm eyepiece (48x). Both doubles were easily resolved and appeared in the same field of view. They looked liked twins. The star magnitudes were similar and the separations were similar. Even the position angles were similar so that both pairs appeared to be pointing in the same direction. The closer pair (ADS-12093) was slightly more difficult to resolve but neither object presented any real problems. I noticed that the field was also quite rich.

Spectacular!


Object ADS-12061
Name 17 Lyr
Type star/multiple
Constellation Lyr
Magnitudes A=5.04 B=9.4
Separations AB=3.7"

NOTES

Due to the faintness and of the secondary and its close separation I was not expecting to have much luck with this double. In fact, I was not able to see the secondary using either the 25mm or 12.5mm eyepieces.


Object ADS-11910
Type star/multiple
Position RA=18h57.1m, DEC=+40d37m (B1950.0)
Constellation Lyr
Magnitudes A=6.12 B=9.2
Separations AB=19.1"

NOTES

I was able to resolve this pair with some difficulty due to the faintness of the secondary. However, unlike ADS-12061, the separation for this double was considerable. I was able to resolve it with the 25mm eyepiece although the 18mm eyepiece seemed to give a marginally better view. I found that I needed to use "light" averted vision to see the secondary; I was unable to see it with "staring" direct vision. Thus observing the secondary required finding a delicate balance between averted vision and glare from the primary. It wasn't easy to find and then maintain such a balance thus the secondary tended to appear for only short glimpses.


Object ADS-11593
Type star/multiple
Position RA=18h40.3m, DEC=+34d42m (B1950.0)
Constellation Lyr
Magnitudes A=6.12 B=7.8
Separations AB=25.1"

NOTES

This double was easy to find and easy to resolve in the 25mm eyepiece (48x). The field seemed rich. This double was not particularly remarkable but still satisfactory.


Object M-56
Type cluster/globular
Constellation Lyr

NOTES

This was a beautiful object! I found it easy to locate working from β Cyg. Using the 25mm eyepiece the field of view was very rich. The object was round and quite bright. It was easy to see with direct vision. I could not detect any hints of resolution although I did notice a fairly bright star that seems to be involved with the cluster. It is probably a foreground star.