Good evening, everyone.
In Dublin I have had the privilege to do some fine observing during the nights of 10th and 12th May with my William Optics 158 mm apochromatic refractor on my Berlebach Planet altazimuth mount.
This is quite a long list of doubles and triples mostly in the southern part of Bootes; but there are a few exceptions included.
All these objects can be further studied on the stelledoppie.goaction.it website -a number of which are not in any publication that I have. This website is personally invaluable to me for some years now.
At no time did I exceed 167X on either night.
My telescope is located in a back garden with some light pollution out front.
1. I start with my favourite bright single star: Arcturus. The nights are still bright and I do greatly admire its distinctive golden colour at 40X. There is no other star that has this colour. Its magnitude is -0.05. I recommend it to beginners. It is brighter than Capella or Vega.
2. Mufrid (Eta Bootis) is an easy optical double star. Its magnitudes are 2.7 and 10. Separation: 114". PA: 85 degrees. The primary is slight yellow. I used 40X.
3. S 655 is another optical double star. The magnitudes are 9 and 10. Separation: 45.8". PA: 85 degrees. The primary is slight orange. Both stars seen at 40X.
4. My next object is a 7 star asterism. Picot 1 has been discussed on many websites for some years. And I was very keen to see what all the fuss about. So I am now completely converted to its marvellous attributes. As a European I do see its resemblance to Napoleon's Hat. The magnitudes are: 9.8, 9.5, 9.7, 10.6, 9.6 9.4 and 10.4. I used 40X and 112X on this very enjoyable asterism.
5. Stf 1825 is a very small distance north of Arcturus and because of this I do greatly admire this true binary. Magnitudes: 6.5 and 8.4. Separation: 4.4". PA: 153 degrees. The primary is yellow white and I can observe both stars very nicely at 112X.
6. 22 Bootis is a wide true double with magnitudes 5.4 and 8.4. Separation: 224.4". PA: 254 degrees. Both seen at 11X and 40X.
7. Directly north is HO 543. I take it HO stands for Hough. Please correct me if I am wrong. Magnitudes: 9.6 and 9.7. Separation: 4.6". PA: 237 degrees. I found this double very attractive at 112X despite its dimness.
8. HJ 2721 is very nearby. Magnitudes:9.2 and 10.4. Separation: 113". PA: 137 degrees. 112X was sufficient to see both stars.
9. Alkalurops (Mu Bootis) is everyone's favourite triple in Bootes. Even at 11X and 40X it is a attractive double star. But as we increase beyond 100X, it becomes a truly stunning triple star. But do keep increasing your magnification up beyond 150X and it does become even more spectacular. 167X is extremely good for me. The magnitudes are 4.3, 7.1 and 7.6. The separations are 109" and 2.2". The PA's are 171 and 4 degrees. The 2 fainter stars seem to point to the bright primary. Then show it to your friends. They will be blown away instantly!
10: Next is Izar (Epsilon Bootis). We all know at this stage that Mr. Struve called it Pulcherima back in the day. The magnitudes are 2.6 and 4.8. Separation: 2.9". PA: 343 degrees. The lovely colours are yellow -orange and decent blue. Larger telescopes probably have a better time splitting Izar. I can see there are 2 stars at 112X but definitely no black gap in between. But my 8 mm TMB eyepiece gives me 140X and I do get success. On other previous occasions my Meade 6.7 mm, which gives me 167X, gives very pleasing observations indeed. The magnitudes are 2.6 and 4.8. The PA is 343 degrees.
11. Some 8 degrees west of Arcturus near the Coma Berenice border there is a nice and wide triple star. The magnitudes of A and D are 5.8 and 9.6. 11X is sufficient to see both stars. But to spot A and B I required 112X. It turns out A, B and D are a true triple system. At no time could I see C; it is too faint for my aperture.
12. In the same true field of view (FOV), HJ 2663 is directly west. This optical double has magnitudes 8.9 and 10.5. Separation: 49.9". PA: 150 degrees. A is orange. 40X is okay to see both.
13. Stf 1782 is a nice true binary north of Tau Bootis easily split at 40X. A is yellow. Magnitudes: 8 and 9.8. Separation: 26.7". PA: 186 degrees.
14. In my same 2.25 degree FOV as Stf 1782, I find HJ 230. It is very faint. But I do see it nicely at 40X. Magnitudes: 10.3 and 10.7. Separation: 63.7". PA: 320 degrees. So it is amazing to see yet another double -double in Bootes.
15. Stf 1797 is a small distance northwest of Mufrid. Stars abound to its west; but I did find this faint double quite attractive. The magnitudes are 9.6 and 10. Separation: 20.7". PA is 158 degrees.
16. I required 140X for my next binary and it is a gem! Stf 1794 is a tight 2" separation. The 2 "eyes" are looking at me and they are almost the same magnitudes: 9.5 and 9.7. This double is sweet to say the least. The PA is 126 degrees.
17. Stf 1804 is northwest of Arcturus. It is a true binary with quite faint magnitudes of 8.2 and 9.3. Separation: 4.9". PA: 14 degrees. Very nice at 112X.
18. This next one is a stunning triple. BU 1442 is northwest of 26 Bootis. What I find very pretty is its colours. The individual magnitudes are A= 9.9. B= 10.2. C= 9.7. From left to right the colours are red, red and almond brown. The spectral classes are M1, M2 and K7. You will not find BU 1442 in any book. But it is on my Guide 9.1 DVD. I believe it should be observed by everyone who enjoys triple stars. These 3 stars are arranged as a wide "V". The colours are a real winner to my eyes. I used powers up to 167X to greatly admire this extraordinary system. I recommend it to you all. The separations are 45.3 and 75.5". Stelle Doppie lists it also.
19. What a big let down Stf 3083 is after BU 1442. But it is nearby. So I thought I should have a look at it. Magnitudes: 9 and 11. Separation: 4.7. PA: 232 degrees. 112X up to 167X is enough to see A and B.
20: HJ 2708 was a great test to my observing limits because both stars are extremely dim but its nice 22.2" separation made it possible to see A and B at 40X and 112X. PA: 315 degrees. The magnitudes are 11.0 and 11.1. This is my faintest double ever!
21. I do have a question about my final double star. Just beyond 12 Bootis there is a very fine double star that is listed on Stelle Doppie.
BGH 50 has magnitudes 7 and 8.9. Its colours are yellow -white and yellow -orange. The separation is a very large 98.8" and the PA is 32 degrees. But can anyone inform us who is BGH? I have searched the internet but to no avail. I doubt it stands for Bodily Grievous Harm: laugh. or Before Going to Heaven. :laugh: :laugh:
So I ask the double star experts for their help. Who is BGH?
And on that note, I end this report.
Thank you for reading.
Clear skies from Aubrey.
  