Who Are You Calling a Lyre?

Hi all

Finally got to note down Wednesday's observations, all took place in Lyra with a 235mm SCT.

Here's the list, hope you enjoy.

STF 2351: A white of 7.5 mag. stars, wide at 5.1 and easily split at X94, seen better at X147.
STF 2333: Another wide white pair, mags. 7.5 & 8, a separation of 6.4 makes an easy split.
STF 2328: Tighter at 3.6, achieved the separation at X147, white in colour with a couple of close by stars that might qualify as doubles in themselves.
STF: 2371: Equal magnitude 8.5 white stars, nice and wide at 9.7, easily split with a 25mm plossl.
STF 2358: A nice yellow and white combo, this pair are a little tighter at 2.5", mags are 8.5-9, a 9mm providing X262 gives a really nice view.
STF 2372: A white pair of 6.5 & 8 mag stars, very wide at 25" and easily split at low magnification. There is a really nice asterism in the shape of a five pointed star in the field.
STF:2393: The pick of the night, the components are an orange and blue white pair that offer a pleasing colour contrast. There is a wide variance in magnitudes, 7.5-10, a wide separation of 14" makes this an easy split.
STF 2397: Yellow and white pair, 7 & 9.5 mags, separation is 3.8", just split at X94, seen better with X147.
STF 2376: Back to white again, a very easy pair, separation is 22", magnitudes are 7.5 & 8.5, low magnification with grab this pair with ease.
STF 2390:
STF 2394: This pair of doubles cane be views in the same field of view with a 16mm eyepiece. All four members are white in colour, 2390 is the brighter of the pair, 7.5 & 8.5 mag stars, closer at 4.2". 2394 are 8.5 & 9 mags, wider at 7.2". A nice sight.
STF 2419: A white pair of 8.5 & 9th mag stars, quite tight at 3.3", nicely split at X147.
STF 2430: An orange primary has a very tight white secondary, separation is only 1.9", their equal 8.5 magnitudes make splitting them that much easier.
STF 2481: A pleasing pair of yellow and white companions, equal 8th mag. stars are separated by 4.5" .

Thanks for your time.

Paul

Great heading, Paul, as ever. I thought I had seen lots of doubles in Lyra. Clearly I haven't. The only double on your list I have observed is Struve 2333. I looked at it on 11th August just this year. at 40X and 112X.

And is that yet another double -double in Lyra? Struve 2390 and 2394. That makes it 3.

My wife Valerie enjoyed Struve 2367 at 40X on the same night. The colours are yellow and blue. You have probably seen in the past.

Great list, Paul.

Aubrey.

Thanks for another excellent report Paul. There have been some good, calm nights, with good seeing recently, ideal for double star observations. Could you clarify one point. I've nearly completed a list of "double doubles" and was interested in the STF2390/2394 combination you describe. However, my software shows those two doubles far apart from each other. Could there be an error in the names or is my catalogue incorrect? I'll circulate my list of double doubles in a month or two when I've checked a few more possible members.

How are you finding the SCT? I'm delighted with the combination of an SCT on a CG5, and added a Crayford focuser to help with difficult double stars.

Keep the reports coming. I must write up the few sessions I've managed over the last couple of months, but life keeps getting in the way.

Mike

Hi Mike

I work off the Eagle Creek Observatory double star list,
www.eaglecreekobservatory.org/eco/doubles/lyr.html

It shows the pair with the same RA, however, their declinations are 7.5 minutes apart, it is entirely possible that I have misidentified this pair, :blush: I will go back on the next clear night to check on this.

The scope and mount are working great, I recently upgraded the hand controller and that takes a lot of hassle out of the initial set up. I was thinking of changing the focuser myself, it is difficult to achieve fine focus at higher mags., and I need something better, what make did you opt for?

Paul

Hi Paul,

I opted for a Baader steeltrack. I was a little concerned about the extra weight and length, but it has made fine focusing really easy and I've had no problems with it. It's pricey, but I persuaded my wife that it would be a great Christmas present for me. She's actually quite happy to encourage a hobby that gets me out of the house, makes me wonder sometimes

I don't mean to harp on (geddit?) about the double double, but I am always looking for new candidates to add to my list and would welcome any suggestions.

Cheers, Mike.

I'm sure both you guys know Gamma Delphini and Struve 2725. I can get both doubles at 112X in the same field of view.

Aubrey.