Triple double double

It was calm and clear last Saturday night, ideal for observing. I brought out the 102SLT short tube refractor because it was very late before I had a chance to start. I started with the double double Epsilon Lyra, to test the potential for higher magnifications with the 102mm. A 3.9mm Siebert Optics "StarSplitter", a 4mm Plossl, and the 5mm Orthoscopic all split the four components cleanly. I stayed in Lyra, checking out other favourites, including two other "double doubles". One is the well known STF2470 & STF2474 combination. The other, comprising β Lyr and SHJ282, is suitable for very low powers and has the attraction that the Ring Nebula is also in the field. Three double doubles in the small constellation Lyra! Check them out, I'm not stringing you along (geddit). After a pleasant couple of hours, I finished with a quick detour into Cygnus to see Albireo. Details attached below.

Thanks for reading,
Mike


ID: WDS18443+3940
Type: Multpl; RA Dec: 184420+3940; Constellation: Lyr
Name: ε(1) Lyr AB; Mag1: 5.2; Mag2: 6.1; Sep: 2.3"
Name: ε(2) Lyr CD; Mag1: 5.25; Mag2: 5.38; Sep: 2.5"
Eyepiece: 3.9mm StarSplitter; Magnification: 169x.
Observations: The four components were cleanly resolved at 132 using the 5mm ortho, and at 170x using the 3.9mm. The 4mm Plossl gave a very similar view. The three eyepieces gave comparable sharpness and all gave a yellowish tint to the four stars, with the strongest colour cast using the StarSplitter.

ID: M57
Type: P Neb; RA Dec: 185335+3301; Constellation: Lyr
Name: Ring Nebula; Mag: 9.5; Size: 2.5
Eyepiece: 5mm Orthoscopic; Magnification: 132x.
Observations: Distinct, with a definite annular shape, though rather faint at 132x.

ID: WDS18362+4117
Type: Dbl; RA Dec: 183612+4116; Constellation: Lyr
Name: STF2351 AB; Mag1: 7.6; Mag2: 7.6; Sep: 5.1"
Eyepiece: 10mm Plossl; Magnification: 66x.
Observations: Identical, moderately bright, white stars, lovely and close at 66x, in a nice field.

ID: WDS18421+3445
Type: Dbl; RA Dec: 184208+3444; Constellation: Lyr
Name: STF2372 AB; Mag1: 6.4; Mag2: 7.7; Sep: 24.9"
Eyepiece: 40mm Plossl; Magnification: 16x.
Observations: Attractively close at 16x, this pair consists of a bright white star, with a much fainter white companion. They are in the middle of the base of a half circle containing many field stars.

ID: WDS18448+3736
Type: Dbl; RA Dec: 184446+3736; Constellation: Lyr
Name: ζ Lyr AD; Mag1: 4.3; Mag2: 5.6; Sep: 43.7"
Eyepiece: 40mm Plossl; Magnification: 16x.
Observations: Unequal white stars that have the merest hint of yellow, both nice and bright, that are close, but well resolved, at 16x. Faint stars are sprinkled across the field.

ID: WDS18501+3322
Type: Dbl; RA Dec: 185005+3321; Constellation: Lyr
Name: β Lyr AB; Mag1: 3.6; Mag2: 6.7; Sep: 44.8"
Eyepiece: 40mm Plossl; Magnification: 16x.
Observations: Very bright white star that has a hint of yellow, nicely separated from a much fainter, bluish, companion. The rich field includes the fainter but more colourful SHJ282, with the Ring Nebula thrown in for good measure. Great combination for low power, though M57 does not stand out well from the sky background at such low magnification.

ID: WDS18549+3358
Type: Multpl; RA Dec: 185453+3358; Constellation: Lyr
Name: SHJ282 AC; Mag1: 6.1; Mag2: 7.6; Sep: 45.2"
Name: STT525 AB; Mag1: 6.14; Mag2: 9.12; Sep: 1.8"
Eyepiece: 40mm Plossl; Magnification: 16x.
Observations: Lovely colour contrast golden, blue double, nicely resolved at 16x. The field contains many other stars, including Beta Lyr, and also M57. The primary is itself a double, but too close to resolve at such low power.

ID: WDS19088+3446
Type: Dbl; RA Dec: 190845+3445; Constellation: Lyr
Name: STF2470 AB; Mag1: 7; Mag2: 8.4; Sep: 13.9"
Eyepiece: 10mm Plossl; Magnification: 66x.
Observations: Moderately unequal stars, white and bluish nicely resolved at 33x. The double double with STF2474 is better isolated at 66x. The double are very similar in magnitudes, separations, and positions angles, but differ in colour, making for a very attractive combination.

ID: WDS19091+3436
Type: Dbl; RA Dec: 190904+3436; Constellation: Lyr
Name: STF2474 AB; Mag1: 6.78; Mag2: 7.88; Sep: 15.9"
Eyepiece: 10mm Plossl; Magnification: 66x.
Observations: Yellow stars, bordering on golden, well resolved at 33x. They form an excellent double double with STF2470.

ID: WDS19307+2758
Type: Dbl; RA Dec: 193043+2757; Constellation: Cyg
Name: Albireo AB; Mag1: 3.2; Mag2: 4.7; Sep: 34.7"
Eyepiece: 20mm Plossl; Magnification: 33x.
Observations: Gorgeous colours, rich field, happy days (nights)!

I am only getting around to checking out your recent report, Mike.
Dublin skies have been repeatedly overcast so far in September 2015.
That certainly is a useful scope you have.
I have observed almost all your objects in the recent past. I must have a shot at STT 525 some time soon. Zeta Lyrae is good even in my 70 mm apochromatic refractor which I use as a guidescope.
By the way, Beta Lyrae (also called Sheliak) has 2 other optical companions close to its northside. Please do check them out next time.

Clear skies,
Aubrey.