7 more doubles + 8th carbon in Cassiopeia

I did observe a few other celestial wonders too, Darren.
It was definitely time to say farewell to Lyra until summer.
It's getting very low in the northern sky. 
Epsilon Lyrae looked very good for the last time.
All 4 stars split at 112X.

Zeta Lyrae was easy at 40X - seen as a wide double.

Polaris split at 40X and 112X.

Castor split at 112X. All 3 stars separated.
Mizar and Alcor: Mizar was the 1st double star I ever split in 1977. Gorgeously split at 40X.

Sigma Cassiopeiae split at 112X. Wonderfully tight at that power.

It would be nice to have one clear night in early February 2020!
But when will that be?

Kind regards from Aubrey.

Hi Aubrey, 

Lyra is my favourite constellation, so it was nice to read your report on it. 

It was also nice to read that you managed to observe some other nice stars such as Alcor and Mizar, and Castor. I often forget that Polaris is a 'double'. I must give that a go sometime soon. 

Let's hope we won't have to wait too much longer for a good calm, clear sky...we live in hope!

All the best, 

Darren. 

I did have a bit of fun before I spotted Vega with my own eyes, Darren.
I thought I was observing Vega; but instead I had found Deneb.
Deneb was invisible at the time; I had been wondering why I was not seeing Epsilon 1,2 Lyrae above it.
It was still nice to realise it was Deneb.
All that became clear when I saw both stars with any optical aid.

By the way, I might be having a break from Cassiopeia some time soon.
It is getting a bit closer to a large tree which doesn't belong to me.
I am going to have to position the scope in a different place when February arrives.
My next carbon star has the long winded designation of 3UC 284-0022963.
Another alternative long winded designation is IRAS 01185-5121. (Who dreams these up?)
Its magnitude is +11.8.
Easy-peasy it is not!

Clear skies,

Aubrey.

Hi Aubrey, 

There's hope for us all then Aubrey On several ocassions I thought I was observing a particular star, when in fact it was a completely different one. For example, at the most recent 'meet-up' I was searching for M35, but could not find it despite having observed it in the past. It was quite some time (and help from Kevin) before I realised that I was using alpha and beta Procyon to 'starhop' instead of Castor and Pollux... Oh the shame! 

Considering you're moving on from Cassiopeia, do you have plans to spend a prolonged period of time in another constellation? Your reports from the big 'W' in the sky were brilliant. And yep, those designations are quite a mouth full.

And on that note, I'm off the for a bite eat! 

Clear skies, 

Darren. 

Maybe Gemini, Darren.

But don't think for a moment I am finished with Cassiopeia.
The end of August 2020 will be the return of my continuing observations in the "W".
I still hope to have one more session in this wonderful constellation in February.
Next week's Monday and Tuesday nights are supposed to be clear.

Clear skies,

Aubrey.

Hi Aubrey, 

If you observe Gemini I'd look forward to reading your reports because I'm not overly familiar with this constellation. 

I do hope we get some clear skies next week, then again it is not looking too bad at the moment... We live in hope!

Kindest regards, 

Darren.