I want to move the double-star section of the "Top ten of deep sky objects" discussion over here, and while we're at it, we might as well throw in some variable stars too!
So, if users could post their lists of top-tens here we can form them into some kind of overall group. If we get more than enough voters then we can move beyond a list of just ten.
I'm expecting lots of people to vote for Beta Cygni, Albireo, which is easily the most famous double star showing some distintion between colours. There are lots of other colour contrast doubles out there, and if lots of people like Albireo, then I'm sure they'd like these as well. Lets share them. How about Ras Algethi in Hercules, which I'm convinced has one green component? Do others see the same colours? Or Gamma Orionis, four stars in a little line forming a genuine quadruple system? Polaris? Castor? Epsilon Lyrae, better known as the double-double? Alcor and Mizar? Sirius?
That's eight from the top of my head. If people know where to look for interesting doubles, then I'm sure they'll seek them out. After all doubles are easier to pick out on a night of poorish seeing and can fill an entertaining few minutes while you're waiting for Saturn or Jupiter to get a bit higher.
Shane Culleton.
Dozo Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu
  