Embedded Files
Personal Information:
Steve Boerner
Chesterfield, MO 63017
sboerner@charter.net
All objects were located personally with no additional assistance.
Note on observing color:
I am red/green colorblind and while I can see color, it is very difficult to label what colors are observed. As such, you will see few, if any, reference to color below.
Telescope used for all objects:
Date started: 7/22/2012
Date completed: 11/13/2012
Requirements:
To qualify for the Astronomical League's Double Star certificate and pin, observe the 100 listed objects. Star hopping is preferred over “go-to” or “push-to” methods, but we will not insist on this if the rest of the observations are clear, well-documented, and unhurried.
To record your observations, use the log sheets linked below (Word or PDF) or use one of your own that includes all of the required information. Log sheets must include: object name/number, date, time (local or UT), latitude and longitude, power(s) used, seeing, transparency, instrument used, and a sketch.
Seeing Scale:
1 :: Chaotic: lowest power stellar images unsteady
2-3 :: Severely disturbed: low power planetary/nebulae images unsteady
4-5 :: Poor: medium powers unsteady
6-7 :: Good: only high powers unsteady
8-9 :: Excellent: only highest powers soft
10 :: Superb: all powers steady
Location for all observations:
Brommelsiek Park (click for more information)
Bortle Sky: Longitude: Latitude: Elevation:
orange 90.815o W 38.723o N 644 ft.
Background Information:
Information about the camera used to record video of the stars, information about additional hardware used, the procedure for collecting and analyzing data, and other observations about the entire process is presented at the bottom of this page. Seeing this information will allow the viewer to understand how the results below were obtained.
Separation & Position Angle Data:
The actual measurements used to calculate position angle and separation can be found in the table at the bottom of the page.
Transparency Scale:
1 :: Mostly Cloudy
2-3 :: Hazy; 1 or 2 Little Dipper stars visible
4 :: 3-4 Little Dipper stars; Milky Way not visible
5 :: 4 Little Dipper stars; Bright parts of Milky Way visible
6 :: 5 Little Dipper stars; Milky Way visible with averted vision
7 :: 6 Little Dipper stars; Milky Way visible
8-9 :: Excellent: 7 Little Dipper stars; M-31 visible
10 :: Superb: M-33 and/or M-81 visible
Index: 1
Object: Eta Cassiopeiae
Constellation: Cas
Common Name:
RA: 00h 49m.1
DEC: +57° 49'
Mags: 3.4, 7.5
Date Seen: 8/5/2012
Time Seen: 10:47 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: just coming up
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 12”
Measured Sep in “ : 13.6”
Lit PA: 307°
Measured PAo: 326.0°
Description:
Easy in the 40mm ep.
Index: 2
Object: 65 Piscium
Constellation: Psc
RA: 00h 49m.9
DEC: +27° 43'
Mags: 6.3, 6.3
Date Seen: 8/20/2012
Time Seen: 12:04 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 4.4”
Measured Sep in “ : 3.9”
Lit PA: 297°
Measured PAo: 295.9°
Description:
I took a hack saw to my flip mirror and now I can use other eyepieces. I like the 20mm to give about 200x and it works well, easily showing the split with this pair. The only problem is not the 40mm Celestron isn't long enough to focus and tighten in the focuser.
Index: 3
Object: Psi 1 Piscium
Constellation: Psc
Common Name:
RA: 01h 05m.6
DEC: +21° 28'
Mags: 5.6, 5.8 "
Date Seen: 8/20/2012
Time Seen: 12:20 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 30”
Measured Sep in “ : 25.1”
Lit PA: 159°
Measured PAo: 157.5°
Description:
The stars are of almost equal intensity. Easily split with the 20mm ep but not in the finder
Index: 4
Object: Zeta Piscium
Constellation: Psc
Common Name:
RA: 01h 13m.7
DEC: +07° 35'
Mags: 5.6, 6.5 "
Date Seen: 8/20/2012
Time Seen: 12:26 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 23”
Measured Sep in": 20.3”
Lit PA: 63°
Measured PAo: 62.7°
Description:
Easy split.
Index: 5
Object: Gamma Arietis
Constellation: Ari
Common Name: Mesarthim
RA: 01h 53m.5
DEC: +19° 18'
Mags: 4.8, 4.8 "
Date Seen: 8/20/2012
Time Seen: 12:32 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 7.8”
Measured Sep in “ : 6.5
Lit PA: 0°
Measured PAo: 355.9°
Description:
Easy split of a pair of equal intensity. Low in the east in the glow of St. Louis.
Index: 6
Object: Lambda Arietis
Constellation: Ari
Common Name:
RA: 01h 57m.9
DEC: +23° 36'
Mags: 4.9, 7.7 "
Date Seen: 8/20/2012
Time Seen: 12:38 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 37”
Measured Sep in “ : 33.3”
Lit PA: 46°
Measured PAo: 49.8°
Description:
The 20mm ep in the flip mirror makes finding the pairs harder, but centering the pairs on the camera's sensor easier. It also makes for less swapping and focusing.
Index: 7
Object: Alpha Piscium
Constellation: Psc
Common Name: Alrescha
RA: 02h 02m.0
DEC: +02° 46'
Mags: 4.2, 5.1 "
Date Seen: 10/23/2012
Time Seen: 11:36 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20 12 8
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x 326x 488x
Lit Sep: 1.7”
Measured Sep in “ : 3.4”
Lit PA: 50°
Measured PAo: 279.8°
Description:
Difficult. Windy conditions. Split only with 8mm. Elongation with 12mm. Fresh start with lambda Ari as a new calibration star. The shorten flip mirror tube allowed me to focus with all eps other than the trusty 40mm Celestron. Now it is too far out to meet the locking screw.
Index: 8
Object: Gamma Andromedae
Constellation: And
Common Name: Almaak
RA: 02h 03m.9
DEC: +42° 20'
Mags: 2.3, 5.5 "
Date Seen: 8/20/2012
Time Seen: 11:36 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20 12
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x 326x
Lit Sep: 9.8”
Measured Sep in “ : 8.7”
Lit PA: 63°
Measured PAo: 65.1°
Description:
Really bright primary. I reduced the exposure to 1/1000th of a second to minimize bloat.
Index: 9
Object: Iota Trianguli
Constellation: Tri
Common Name: 6 Tri
RA: 02h 12m.4
DEC: +30° 18'
Mags: 5.3, 6.9 "
Date Seen: 8/20/2012
Time Seen: 11:36 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20 12
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x 326x
Lit Sep: 3.9”
Measured Sep in “ : 3.9”
Lit PA: 71°
Measured PAo: 76.6°
Description:
Really close pair but does split at 195x.
Index: 10
Object: Alpha Ursa Minoris
Constellation: UMi
Common Name: Polaris
RA: 02h 31m.8
DEC: +89° 16'
Mags: 2.0, 9.0 "
Date Seen: 8/20/2012
Time Seen: 11:36 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20 12
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x 326x
Lit Sep: 18.4”
Measured Sep in “ : 15.8”
Lit PA: 218°
Measured PAo: 237.5°
Description:
I'm going to have to think for a while to determine what the angle is for this one. I suspect that I might have to do some more imaging to get the results. The dim secondary really shows up well in the video. It was really difficult to see in the ep. For lack of better idea, I've averaged the drifts for the rest of pairs imaged tonight and used that as the drift offset for Polaris. The results are not great, but not too far from the literature value. BTW... Polaris takes forever to show drift, thus my problem.
Index: 11
Object: Gamma Ceti
Constellation: Cet
RA: 02h 43m.3
DEC: +03° 14'
Mags: 3.5, 7.3 "
Date Seen: 10/23/2012
Time Seen: 11:47 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20 12
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x 326x
Lit Sep: 2.8”
Measured Sep in “ : 3.3”
Lit PA: 294°
Measured PAo: 300.0°
Description:
Not as hard as Alpha Psc, but not easy. Elongation with 20mm, split with 12mm.
Index: 12
Object: Eta Persei
Constellation: Per
Common Name:
RA: 02h 50m.7
DEC: +55° 54'
Mags: 3.8, 8.5 "
Date Seen: 8/20/2012
Time Seen: 11:47 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20 12
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 28.3”
Measured Sep in “ : 26.2”
Lit PA: 300°
Measured PAo: 299.2°
Description:
Nice wide split, but a bright primary and a really dim secondary. I had to increase the shutter speed to pick up the secondary.
Index: 13
Object: Struve 331
Constellation: Per
Common Name: HIP 14043
RA: 03h 00m.9
DEC: +52° 21'
Mags: 5.3, 6.7 "
Date Seen: 10/23/2012
Time Seen: 11:47 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20 12
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 12.1”
Measured Sep in “ : 11.3”
Lit PA: 85°
Measured PAo: 84.6°
Description:
Pretty pair. Last of the night.
Index: 14
Object: 32 Eridani
Constellation: Eri
Common Name:
RA: 03h 54m.3
DEC: -02° 57'
Mags: 4.8, 6.1 "
Date Seen: 10/23/2012
Time Seen: 11:54 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 6.8”
Measured Sep in “ : 7.5”
Lit PA: 347°
Measured PAo: 350.5°
Description:
Easy split with the 20mm.
Index: 15
Object: Chi Tauri
Constellation: Tau
Common Name:
RA: 04h 22m.6
DEC: +25° 38'
Mags: 5.5, 7.6 "
Date Seen: 10/23/2012
Time Seen: 11:59 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 19.4”
Measured Sep in “ : 20.0”
Lit PA: 24°
Measured PAo: 25.5°
Description:
Easy split with the 20mm. Windy!
Index: 16
Object: 1 Camelopardalis
Constellation: Cam
Common Name:
RA: 04h 32m.0
DEC: +53° 55'
Mags: 5.7, 6.8 "
Date Seen: 10/24/2012
Time Seen: 12:10 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 10.3”
Measured Sep in “ : 11.1”
Lit PA: 308°
Measured PAo: 309.4°
Description:
Easy split with the 20mm. Windy!
Index: 17
Object: 55 Eridani
Constellation: Eri
Common Name:
RA: 04h 43m.6
DEC: -08° 48'
Mags: 6.7, 6.8 "
Date Seen: 10/24/2012
Time Seen: 12:23 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 9.2”
Measured Sep in “ : 9.9”
Lit PA: 317°
Measured PAo: 316.8°
Description:
Easy split with the 20mm. Windy! The only 2 stars in the field! Equal intensity
Index: 18
Object: Beta Orionis
Constellation: Ori
Common Name: Rigel
RA: 05h 14m.5
DEC: -08° 12'
Mags: 0.1, 6.8 "
Date Seen: 10/24/2012
Time Seen: 12:45 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 9.5”
Measured Sep in “ : 9.3”
Lit PA: 202°
Measured PAo: 202.8°
Description:
The secondary is hard to see below the bright primary.
Index: 19
Object: 118 Tauri
Constellation: Tau
Common Name:
RA: 05h 29m.3
DEC: +25° 09'
Mags: 5.8, 6.6 "
Date Seen: 10/24/2012
Time Seen: 12:31 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 4.8”
Measured Sep in “ : 4.9”
Lit PA: 204°
Measured PAo: 207.5°
Description:
Close, but doable in the 20mm. Only three stars in the field seen in the eastern glow.
Index: 20
Object: Delta Orionis
Constellation: Ori
Common Name: Mintaka
RA: 05h 32m.0
DEC: -00° 18'
Mags: 2.2, 6.3 "
Date Seen: 10/24/2012
Time Seen: 12:36 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 52.6”
Measured Sep in “ : 53.6”
Lit PA: 359°
Measured PAo: 360.4°
Description:
After the close splits tonight, this seems like a wide pair. One bright, one dim.
Index: 21
Object: Struve 747
Constellation: Ori
Common Name: HIP 26199
RA: 05h 35m.0
DEC: -06° 00'
Mags: 4.8, 5.7 "
Date Seen: 10/29/2012
Time Seen: 1:22 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 8
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 3 days before full
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 35.7”
Measured Sep in “ : 36.7”
Lit PA: 223°
Measured PAo: 224.0°
Description:
Lots of doubles in the field, but the one I'm looking at runs in the correct direction.220 degrees.
Index: 22
Object: Lamda Orionis
Constellation: Ori
Common Name: Meissa
RA: 05h 35m.1
DEC: +09° 56'
Mags: 3.6, 5.5 "
Date Seen: 10/24/2012
Time Seen: 12:51 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 4.4”
Measured Sep in “ : 4.4”
Lit PA: 43°
Measured PAo: 43.4°
Description:
Close, but doable in the 20mm.
Index: 23
Object: Theta 1 Orionis
Constellation: Ori
Common Name:
RA: 05h 35m.3
DEC: -05° 23'
Mags: 6.7, 7.9,5.1, 6.7 "
Date Seen: 10/29/2012
Time Seen: 1:04 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 8
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 3 days before full
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 8.8”,13”,21.5”
Measured Sep in “ : 9.8”, 12.7”, 21.7”
Lit PA: 31° , 132°, 96°"
Measured PAo: 34.2°, 130.7°, 95.5°"
Description:
The Trapezium was easy to find and see. The transparency was bad enough that M42 was difficult. Surprise… what looks to be the brightest isn't, or at least isn't considered the primary for measurement. A & C may be split further into pairs in some of the video frames to make six stars for the system. Some of the frames show multiple centers on elongated stars running in the correct directions.
Index: 24
Object: Iota Orionis
Constellation: Ori
Common Name:
RA: 05h 35m.4
DEC: -05° 55'
Mags: 2.8, 6.9 "
Date Seen: 10/24/2012
Time Seen: 1:07 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 1 day past first quarter
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 11.3”
Measured Sep in “ : 11.4”
Lit PA: 141°
Measured PAo: 140.3°
Description:
Crowded part of the sky. Easy double with the 20mm.
Index: 25
Object: Theta 2 Orionis
Constellation: Ori
Common Name:
RA: 05h 35m.4
DEC: -05° 25'
Mags: 5.2, 6.5 "
Date Seen: 11/13/2012
Time Seen: 2:32 AM CST
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 52”
Measured Sep in “ : 53.9”
Lit PA: 92°
Measured PAo: 93.1°
Description:
Easy to find and see by M42. Wide split. Some video frames show double double? Not seen visually.
Index: 26
Object: Sigma Orionis
Constellation: Ori
Common Name:
RA: 05h 38m.7
DEC: -02° 36'
Mags: 4.0, 7.5,6.5 "
Date Seen: 10/29/2012
Time Seen: 1:30 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 8
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 3 days before full
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 12.9”,43”
Measured Sep in “ : 13.4”, 42.6”
Lit PA: 84°, 61°"
Measured PAo: 83.3°, 61.0°"
Description:
A triple and maybe a four banger with another double quite close in the camera's small field of view.
Index: 27
Object: Zeta Orionis
Constellation: Ori
Common Name: Alnitak
RA: 05h 40m.8
DEC: -01° 57'
Mags: 1.9, 4.0,9.9 "
Date Seen: 10/29/2012
Time Seen: 1:43 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 8
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 3 days before full
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 2.4”, 58”
Measured Sep in “ : 6.5 59.3
Lit PA: 162°, 10°"
Measured PAo: 146.3°, 8.7°"
Description:
A triple, but the third member is most dim and difficult. It is very close to the primary and the bright moon makes it even harder. I see it but it is a push.
Index: 28
Object: Gamma Leporis
Constellation: Lep
Common Name:
RA: 05h 44m.5
DEC: -22° 27'
Mags: 3.7, 6.3 "
Date Seen: 10/29/2012
Time Seen: 1:52 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 8
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 3 days before full
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 96”
Measured Sep in “ : 99.7”
Lit PA: 350°
Measured PAo: 349.4°
Description:
Very wide, easy to split, easy to find.
Index: 29
Object: Theta Aurigae
Constellation: Aur
Common Name:
RA: 05h 59m.7
DEC: +37° 13'
Mags: 2.6, 7.1 "
Date Seen: 10/29/2012
Time Seen: 1:59 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 8
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 3 days before full
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 3.6”
Measured Sep in “ : 4.8”
Lit PA: 313°
Measured PAo: 300.0°
Description:
Easy to find, but the secondary is very dim. Whoops!!! The real secondary is much closer to the primary than I thought. A second look shows it in the glare of the primary in the same direction as the star in the picture. About 1/4th the video frames show it because of bloat. It should probably be closer in my sketch.
Index: 30
Object: Epsilon Monocerotis
Constellation: Mon
Common Name:
RA: 06h 23m.8
DEC: +04° 36'
Mags: 4.5, 6.5 "
Date Seen: 10/29/2012
Time Seen: 2:24 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 8
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 3 days before full
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 13.4”
Measured Sep in “ : 12.8”
Lit PA: 27°
Measured PAo: 27.9°
Description:
A pretty pair with significant color. I just can't tell what the colors are.
Index: 31
Object: Beta Monocerotis
Constellation: Mon
Common Name:
RA: 06h 28m.8
DEC: -07° 02'
Mags: 4.7, 5.2 "
Date Seen: 10/29/2012
Time Seen: 2:30 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 8
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 3 days before full
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 7.3”
Measured Sep in “ : 9.8”, 6.8”
Lit PA: 132°
Measured PAo: 126.1°, 139.5°"
Description:
A bright pair. Nice to see. Somewhat equal brightness between the primary and other pair! An unexpected triple.
Index: 32
Object: 12 Lyncis
Constellation: Lyn
Common Name:
RA: 06h 46m.2
DEC: +59° 27'
Mags: 5.4, 7.3 "
Date Seen: 10/29/2012
Time Seen: 2:46 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 8
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 3 days before full
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 8.7”
Measured Sep in “ : 10.4”
Lit PA: 308°
Measured PAo: 305.7°
Description:
Dim, but not difficult. In a part of the sky that I don't know too much about.
Index: 33
Object: Epsilon Canis Majoris
Constellation: CMa
Common Name: Adhara
RA: 06h 58m.6
DEC: -28° 58'
Mags: 1.5, 7.4 "
Date Seen: 11/13/2013
Time Seen: 3:04 AM CST
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 7.5”
Measured Sep in “ : 3.8”
Lit PA: 161°
Measured PAo: 173.9°
Description:
Tough puppy. The bright primary masks the dim, close secondary.
Index: 34
Object: Delta Geminorum
Constellation: Gem
Common Name: Wasat
RA: 07h 20m.1
DEC: +21° 59'
Mags: 3.5, 8.2 "
Date Seen: 10/29/2012
Time Seen: 2:16 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 8
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 3 days before full
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 6.8”
Measured Sep in “ : 5.8”
Lit PA: 211°
Measured PAo: 229.0°
Description:
Another tight pair with a dim secondary. Somewhat difficult.
Index: 35
Object: 19 Lyncis
Constellation: Lyn
Common Name:
RA: 07h 22m.9
DEC: +55° 17'
Mags: 5.6, 6.5 "
Date Seen: 10/29/2012
Time Seen: 2:55 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 8
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 3 days before full
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 14.8”
Measured Sep in “ : 15.6”
Lit PA: 315°
Measured PAo: 313.5°
Description:
Hard to draw! Well actually hard to see in the eyepiece without banging my head, so I went in sideways and had difficulty estimating the angle.
Index: 36
Object: Alpha Geminorum
Constellation: Gem
Common Name: Castor
RA: 07h 34m.6
DEC: +31° 53'
Mags: 1.9, 2.9 "
Date Seen: 10/29/2012
Time Seen: 2:06 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 8
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 3 days before full
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 2.2”
Measured Sep in “ : 6.0”
Lit PA: 171°
Measured PAo: 49.9°
Description:
Were they all this easy! After the fact...frost on the corrector plate?? Bright enough that it probably didn't hurt the pair, but dimmer stars in the neighborhood wouldn't show up.
Index: 37
Object: k Puppis
Constellation: Pup
Common Name: HIP 37229
RA: 07h 38m.8
DEC: -26° 48'
Mags: 4.5, 4.7 "
Date Seen: 11/13/2013
Time Seen: 3:22 AM CST
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 9.9”
Measured Sep in “ : 10.6”
Lit PA: 318°
Measured PAo: 316.1°
Description:
Almost equal intensity. Nice pair.
Index: 38
Object: Zeta Cancri
Constellation: Can
Common Name:
RA: 08h 12m.2
DEC: +17° 39'
Mags: 5.6, 6.0 "
Date Seen: 10/29/2012
Time Seen: 3:05 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 8
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: 3 days before full
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 5.9”
Measured Sep in “ : 7.5”
Lit PA: 89°
Measured PAo: 58.2°
Description:
Time to go home… cold, tired, starting to make mistakes. There is frost on the C14's corrector plate.
Index: 39
Object: Iota Cancri
Constellation: Can
Common Name:
RA: 08h 46m.7
DEC: +28° 46'
Mags: 4.2, 6.6 "
Date Seen: 11/13/2013
Time Seen: 3:28 AM CST
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 30”
Measured Sep in “ : 32.4”
Lit PA: 307°
Measured PAo: 307.7°
Description:
Easy pair, dim part of the sky with few other stars in the ep.
Index: 40
Object: 38 Lyncis
Constellation: Lyn
Common Name:
RA: 09h 18m.8
DEC: +36° 48'
Mags: 3.9, 6.6 "
Date Seen: 11/13/2013
Time Seen: 3:36 AM CST
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 2.7”
Measured Sep in “ : 3.1”
Lit PA: 229°
Measured PAo: 226.4°
Description:
Not easy. Again a close pair and dim secondary masked a bit by the close bright primary.
Index: 41
Object: Alpha Leonis
Constellation: Leo
Common Name: Regulus
RA: 10h 08m.4
DEC: +11° 58'
Mags: 1.4, 7.7 "
Date Seen: 11/13/2013
Time Seen: 3:46 AM CST
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 177”
Measured Sep in “ : 181.3”
Lit PA: 307°
Measured PAo: 306.6°
Description:
Very easy to find! Dim secondary very far away from primary. Video needed auto exposure to pick up the dim secondary.
Index: 42
Object: Gamma Leonis
Constellation: Leo
Common Name: Algieba
RA: 10h 20m.0
DEC: +19° 51'
Mags: 2.2, 3.5 "
Date Seen: 11/13/2013
Time Seen: 3:54 AM CST
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 4.4”
Measured Sep in “ : 4.7”
Lit PA: 122.0°
Measured PAo: 123.8°
Description:
Not as hard as I thought it was going to be. Close but clearly visible split with the ep.
Index: 43
Object: 54 Leonis
Constellation: Leo
Common Name:
RA: 10h 55m.6
DEC: +24° 45'
Mags: 4.5, 6.3 "
Date Seen: 11/13/2013
Time Seen: 3:54 AM CST
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 6.5”
Measured Sep in “ : 7.0”
Lit PA: 110°
Measured PAo: 108.0°
Description:
Only four stars in the ep fov. Good separation. Frost on both the front and back of the corrector plate…time to use the blow dryer. It may be the reason for only 4 stars in the ep FOV.
Index: 44
Object: N Hydrae
Constellation: Hyd
Common Name: 17 Crt
RA: 11h 32m.3
DEC: -29° 16'
Mags: 5.8, 5.9 "
Date Seen: 11/13/2013
Time Seen: 5:10 AM CST
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 9.2”
Measured Sep in “ : 9.5”
Lit PA: 210°
Measured PAo: 211.9°
Description:
Very low in the SE. Getting light in the east. The observatory wall isn't fully cleared, so not full aperture. Still easily split. The increasing background light prevented more stars in the ep fov.
Index: 45
Object: Delta Corvi
Constellation: Cor
Common Name: Algorab
RA: 12h 29m.9
DEC: -16° 31'
Mags: 3.0, 9.2 "
Date Seen: 11/13/2013
Time Seen: 5:18 AM CST
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 24.2”
Measured Sep in “ : 24.4”
Lit PA: 214°
Measured PAo: 214.3°
Description:
Very low in the se. Getting light in the east. The wall isn't cleared so not full aperture. Still easily split. DONE!
Index: 46
Object: 24 Comae Berenices
Constellation: CBe
RA: 12h 35m.1
DEC: +18° 23'
Mags: 5.2, 6.7 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 09:15 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40 , 20"
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 20.3”
Measured Sep in “ : 20.2”
Lit PA: 271°
Measured PAo: 266.8°
Description:
Another easy double that can be seen with the finder. The sky was still not fully dark so only the double was seen in the eyepiece.
Index: 47
Object: Gamma Virginis
Constellation: Vir
Common Name: Porrima
RA: 12h 41m.7
DEC: -01° 27'
Mags: 3.5, 3.5 "
Date Seen: 8/5/2012 11/13/2012
Time Seen: 9:05 PM CDT 5:04 AM CST
Seeing (x/10): 4 6
Transparency(x/10): 3 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20, 12, 8"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x, 325x, 488x"
Lit Sep: 3.6”
Measured Sep in “ : 1.6”
Lit PA: 293°
Measured PAo: 266.8°
Description:
I was unable to split Porrima. Not even the video camera detected the slightest elongation for the pair. The video camera gives a magnification similar to a 6mm eyepiece or roughly 650x. Poor seeing for the evening may have played a part. Porrima is currently below the western wall of the observatory and will not be available to view for another five months at 5 am. Well at 5 am on 11/13 got it. Difficult, but done. Possibly because of better seeing, but more experience may have helped.
Index: 48
Object: 32 Camelopardalis
Constellation: Cam
Common Name: HIP 62572
RA: 12h 49m.2
DEC: +83° 25'
Mags: 5.3, 5.8 "
Date Seen: 11/13/2012
Time Seen: 3:54 AM CST
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 21.6”
Measured Sep in “ : 22.6”
Lit PA: 326°
Measured PAo: 326.7°
Description:
Remind me again about how much I like looking near the north pole with a forked SCT and a pointed roll off roof. 32 Cam was just off the peak and the finder was pointed at the roof. I had to prowl for a while to find the easy to split pair. Only 5 stars in the fov.
Index: 49
Object: Alpha Canum Venaticorum
Constellation: CVe
Common Name: Cor Caroli
RA: 12h 56m.0
DEC: +38° 19'
Mags: 2.9, 5.5 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 09:03 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 19.4”
Measured Sep in “ : 18.6”
Lit PA: 229°
Measured PAo: 231.7°
Description:
Easy double to find and split. Visible as a double in the finder.
Index: 50 T2i
Object: Zeta Ursa Majoris
Constellation: UMa
Common Name: Mizar Alcor
RA: 13h 23m.9
DEC: +54° 56'
Mags: 2.3, 4.0,4.0 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 09:27 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 14.4”, 709”
Measured Sep in “ : 13.6”, 701.2”
Lit PA: 152°, 71°"
Measured PAo: 150°, 66.5°"
Description:
Mizar easily split with the 40mm ep, but not the finder. Alcor was visible in the 40mm too. Need to find a way to get an image of these wide pairs. I got the wide pair with a Canon T2i"
Index: 51
Object: Kappa Bootis
Constellation: Boo
RA: 14h 13m.5
DEC: +51° 47
Mags: 4.6, 6.6 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 10:34 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 13.4”
Measured Sep in “ : 13.5”
Lit PA: 236°
Measured PAo: 245.3°
Description:
The first double attempted. Easy to split visually, but the image could use more separation for better precision in photographic measurement. Angle measurements are read from a screen protractor and have an “offset” based on how well the camera is aligned east/west for that session. The measured angle in the table is the angle read off the screen plus the offset. The offset for the first night (objects 51-70) is -6.18 degrees. I'll do a better job of squaring the camera with the RA drift on future nights. The camera exposure for most of the objects this evening was 1/160th of a second.
First thing to go was a small cooling fan on the back of the camera. It caused enough vibration that this pair looked like four stars rather than two. I'll probably end up with a few more hot pixels, but a correct image is more important.
Index: 52
Object: Iota Bootis
Constellation: Boo
Common Name:
RA: 14h 16m.2
DEC: +51° 22'
Mags: 4.9, 7.5 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 10:40 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 38”
Measured Sep in “ : 36.9”
Lit PA: 33°
Measured PAo: 42.0°
Description:
Easy to measure but repeated focusing for two eyepieces and the camera is a real pain. From now on I'm using the C14's focuser for the camera and then leaving it alone for the rest of the evening. I'll focus the eyepieces by moving them in & out in the focuser. I won't get tack sharp, but it should be good enough and I won't loose my mind.
Index: 53
Object: Pi Bootis
Constellation: Boo
Common Name:
RA: 14h 40m.7
DEC: +16° 25'
Mags: 4.9, 5.8 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 10:45 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 5.6”
Measured Sep in “ : 5.5”
Lit PA: 108°
Measured PAo: 120.9°
Description:
It looks like doubles with less than 5” separation will suffer a bit with measurement with the screen protractor. It is a bit difficult to align the center of the protractor on what I estimated as the center of the primary and then hold the mouse pointer on the center of the secondary. It looks like there will be some error involved. Something to investigate.
Index: 54
Object: Epsilon Bootis
Constellation: Boo
Common Name:
RA: 14h 45m.0
DEC: +27° 04'
Mags: 2.5, 4.9 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 10:50 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20, 12"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x, 325x"
Lit Sep: 2.8”
Measured Sep in “ : 2.4”
Lit PA: 339°
Measured PAo: 358.6°
Description:
Another tight pair that was difficult to measure. The exposure was changed to 1/1600th of a second to minimize the glare from the primary.
Index: 55
Object: Alpha Librae
Constellation: Lib
Common Name: Zubenelgenubi
RA: 14h 50m.9
DEC: -16° 02'
Mags: 2.8, 5.2 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 11:12 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 231”
Measured Sep in “ : 218.9”
Lit PA: 314°
Measured PAo: 319.1°
Description:
It shows as a pair in the finder scope. The separation is almost too big to fit both stars on the CCD of the security camera. The primary is in the lower right corner and the secondary is at the top, just to the right of the text"
Index: 56
Object: Xi Bootis
Constellation: Boo
Common Name:
RA: 14h 51m.4
DEC: +19° 06'
Mags: 4.7, 7.0 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 10:58 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 6.9”
Measured Sep in “ : 6.1”
Lit PA: 332°
Measured PAo: 312.6°
Description:
After doing some of the narrower pairs this seemed almost easy to measure.
Index: 57
Object: Delta Bootis
Constellation: Boo
Common Name:
RA: 15h 15m.5
DEC: +33° 19'
Mags: 3.5, 8.7 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 11:03 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20, 12"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x,325x"
Lit Sep: 105”
Measured Sep in “ : 105.0”
Lit PA: 79°
Measured PAo: 86.3°
Description:
I found an Internet article on double stars that lists this pair as a “calibration” for doubles since it has a good distance and has not changed for over 100 years. I've decided to use it as a standard for distance. Measuring the pixel distance between the centers of the pair will give me the number of pixels to represent 105” with the C14 and security camera setup. A simple proportion will give me the spacing for the rest of the doubles in the program. The conversion is: Sep in “ = 2.324 x measured screen units This value should not change nightly unless I change optics or spacing. I will check Delta Bootis every night I image and use a nightly measurement.
Index: 58
Object: Mu Bootis
Constellation: Boo
Common Name:
RA: 15h 24m.5
DEC: +37° 23'
Mags: 4.3, 7.0 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 11:08 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 108”
Measured Sep in “ : 98.6”
Lit PA: 171°
Measured PAo: 174.1°
Description:
A new lesson learned! If the primary is too close to the top edge of the video display, I have to rotate the protractor 180 degrees. There doesn't seem to be a “flip” button, so I need to guess when it is exactly 180. I think it is OK, but I could be introducing some error here.
Index: 59
Object: Delta Serpentis
Constellation: Ser
Common Name:
RA: 15h 34m.8
DEC: +10° 32'
Mags: 4.2, 5.2 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 11:19 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 3.9”
Measured Sep in “ : 3.6”
Lit PA: 178°
Measured PAo: 173.0°
Description:
The exposure was reduced to 1/1000th of a second to reduce the glare from the primary.
The video shows that there might be additional stars as part of the system. I can only see the two stars visually.
Index: 60
Object: Zeta Corona Borealis
Constellation: CBo
Common Name:
RA: 15h 39m.4
DEC: +36° 38'
Mags: 5.1, 6.0 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 11:25 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 6.3”
Measured Sep in “ : 6.8”
Lit PA: 305°
Measured PAo: 301.6°
Description:
(Guilty pleasure--no comment!!!)
Index: 61
Object: Xi Scorpii
Constellation: Sco
Common Name:
RA: 16h 04m.4
DEC: -11° 22'
Mags: 4.8, 7.3 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 11:31 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 7.6”
Measured Sep in “ : 7.5”
Lit PA: 51°
Measured PAo: 47.7°
Description:
As I looked in the 40mm ep I saw two doubles and wondered which was Xi…then it hit me, the brighter pair!"
Some of the video frames may show additional stars as part of the system. Visually, I only saw two.
Index: 62
Object: Struve 1999
Constellation: Sco
Common Name:
RA: 16h 04m.4
DEC: -11° 27'
Mags: 7.4, 8.1 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 11:34 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 11.6”
Measured Sep in “ : 12.0”
Lit PA: 99°
Measured PAo: 96.0°
Description:
The dimmer pair in the 40mm ep with Xi Scorpii. The exposure was increased to 2x (1/15th of a second?) to pick up the secondary.
Index: 63
Object: Beta Scorpii
Constellation: Sco
Common Name: Acrab
RA: 16h 05m.4
DEC: -19° 48'
Mags: 2.6, 4.9 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 11:39 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 13.6”
Measured Sep in “ : 13.9”
Lit PA: 21°
Measured PAo: 19.4°
Description:
I remember this guy from the binocular double star list. I saw a double satellite pass through the FOV looking for this one. Tandem-X??
Index: 64
Object: Kappa Herculis
Constellation: Her
Common Name: Marsic
RA: 16h 08m.1
DEC: +17° 03'
Mags: 5.3, 6.5 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 12:21 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 28”
Measured Sep in “ : 25.3”
Lit PA: 12°
Measured PAo: 15.0°
Description:
I was worried that the measured values were very far off from the AL's. http://stars.astro.illinois.edu/sow/deltaher.html shows I'm pretty close and AL's lit values are off. I was worried that there was a problem with the way I was doing things.
Index: 65
Object: Nu Scorpii
Constellation: Sco
Common Name:
RA: 16h 12m.0
DEC: -19° 28'
Mags: 4.3, 6.4 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 11:45 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 41”
Measured Sep in “ : 37.9”
Lit PA: 337°
Measured PAo: 334.1°
Description:
I can see some elongation visually at 195x. The video shows some elongation on the primary towards 35 degrees. Zooming in on the secondary shows elongation towards 54 degrees.
A few of the video frames show splitting of both the primary and secondary.
Index: 66
Object: Sigma Corona Borealis
Constellation: CBo
Common Name:
RA: 16h 14m.7
DEC: +33° 52'
Mags: 5.6, 6.6 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 11:57 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 6.2”
Measured Sep in “ : 7.1”
Lit PA: 233°
Measured PAo: 239.7°
Description:
Index: 67
Object: 16/17 Draconis
Constellation: Dra
Common Name:
RA: 16h 36m.2
DEC: +52° 55'
Mags: 5.4, 6.4,5.5 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 12:03 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 3.4”,, 90”
Measured Sep in “ : 3.3 “, 83.3”
Lit PA: 108°, 194°"
Measured PAo: 100.8 °, 193.9°"
Description:
Triple. Fun to see.
Index: 68
Object: Mu Draconis
Constellation: Dra
Common Name:
RA: 17h 05m.3
DEC: +54° 28'
Mags: 5.7, 5.7 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 12:09 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20, 12, 8"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x, 325x, 488x"
Lit Sep: 2.0”
Measured Sep in “ : 2.5”
Lit PA: 42°
Measured PAo: 187.4°
Description:
Hard to split even at highest powers The exposure was reduced to 1/1000th of a second to minimize the glare from the primary.
Index: 69
Object: Alpha Herculis
Constellation: Her
Common Name: Rasselgethi
RA: 17h 14m.6
DEC: +14° 23'
Mags: 3.5, 5.4 "
Date Seen: 7/22/2012
Time Seen: 11:50 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20, 12"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x,325x"
Lit Sep: 4.7”
Measured Sep in “ : 4.9”
Lit PA: 107°
Measured PAo: 98.0°
Description:
I've split this before! Back in April when I first considered working on the Double Star Program, this was one of the first doubles I looked at visually to get an idea of what would be needed to complete the program.
Index: 70
Object: Delta Herculis
Constellation: Her
Common Name:
RA: 17h 15m.0
DEC: +24° 50'
Mags: 3.1, 8.2 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 12:15 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 7
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 8.9”
Measured Sep in “ : 12.6”
Lit PA: 236°
Measured PAo: 284.9°
Description:
Most interesting. My measured value for the position angle is no where near the AL's value. The pair was easy to split at the hightest power, with one bright and one very faint member.
Index: 71
Object: 36 Ophiuchi
Constellation: Oph
Common Name:
RA: 17h 15m.3
DEC: -26° 36'
Mags: 5.1, 5.1 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 10:36 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 4.4”
Measured Sep in “ : 4.6”
Lit PA: 154°
Measured PAo: 138.3°
Description:
Start of new session. The new angle offset is + 1.00 degree although with poorer seeing this evening, the star did bounce considerably as it tracked along the protractor scale used to measure the angle. Easy double to find even in the Celestron 40mm ep. 2x exposure for all doubles this evening unless otherwise noted. Although it isn't mentioned in the camera docs, I think that is 1/15th of a second. Fairly close but split.
Index: 72
Object: Omicron Ophiuchi
Constellation: Oph
Common Name:
RA: 17h 18m.0
DEC: -24° 17'
Mags: 5.4, 6.9 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 10:42 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 10.3”
Measured Sep in “ : 9.5”
Lit PA: 355°
Measured PAo: 354.7°
Description:
Index: 73
Object: Rho Herculis
Constellation: Her
Common Name:
RA: 17h 23m.7
DEC: +37° 09'
Mags: 4.6, 5.6 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 10:49 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 4.1”
Measured Sep in “ : 5.5”
Lit PA: 316°
Measured PAo: 328.3°
Description:
Easy double to find even in the Celestron 40mm ep.
Index: 74
Object: Nu Draconis
Constellation: Dra
Common Name:
RA: 17h 32m.2
DEC: +55° 11'
Mags: 4.9, 4.9 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 10:57 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 62”
Measured Sep in “ : 61.0”
Lit PA: 312°
Measured PAo: 308.6°
Description:
It seems really wide!
Index: 75
Object: Psi Draconis
Constellation: Dra
Common Name:
RA: 17h 41m.9
DEC: +72° 09'
Mags: 4.9, 6.1 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 11:03 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 30.3”
Measured Sep in “ : 28.8”
Lit PA: 15°
Measured PAo: 16.3°
Description:
2x exposure for all doubles this evening unless otherwise noted. Although it isn't mentioned in the camera docs, I think that is 1/15th of a second.
Index: 76
Object: 40/41 Draconis
Constellation: Dra
Common Name:
RA: 18h 00m.2
DEC: +80° 00'
Mags: 5.7, 6.1 "
Date Seen: 8/5/2012
Time Seen: 09:24 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 19.3”
Measured Sep in “ : 18.7”
Lit PA: 232°
Measured PAo: 231.8°
Description:
Easy to see in the finder and 40mm ep, but difficult with the video camera. Flip mirror is inverted and video is most strange. Ahhhh, I forgot to re-focus after swapping eyepieces! Got to remember to not mess with the C14's focusing knob.
Index: 77
Object: 95 Herculis
Constellation: Her
Common Name:
RA: 18h 01m.5
DEC: +21° 36'
Mags: 5.0, 5.1 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 11:10 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 6.3”
Measured Sep in “ : 6.3”
Lit PA: 258°
Measured PAo: 260.3°
Description:
Almost equal intensity
Index: 78
Object: 70 Ophiuchi
Constellation: Oph
Common Name:
RA: 18h 05m.5
DEC: +02° 30'
Mags: 4.2, 6.0 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 11:18 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 2.8”
Measured Sep in “ : 5.7”
Lit PA: 72°
Measured PAo: 124.6°
Description:
A bit hard to find
Index: 79
Object: Epsilon Lyrae
Constellation: Lyr
Common Name:
RA: 18h 44m.3
DEC: +39° 40'
Mags: 5.0, 6.1,5.2, 5.5 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 11:24 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 208”, 2.6”,2.3”
Measured Sep in “ : 210.7”, 3.7”, 3.4”
Lit PA: 357°, 94°, 173°"
Measured PAo: 351.4°, 80.8°, 151.8°"
Description:
Double, double toil and trouble! The pairs will be hard to measure… maybe a short fl scope. The two smaller doubles are hard too, because they are so close together. The wind made them bounce all over the screen. Tried again on 8/5 and rotated the video camera to get all pairs in the ep. Prettier at lower powers!"
Index: 80
Object: Zeta Lyrae
Constellation: Lyr
Common Name:
RA: 18h 44m.8
DEC: +37° 36'
Mags: 4.3, 5.9 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 11:30 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 44”
Measured Sep in “ : 40.8”
Lit PA: 150°
Measured PAo: 146.6°
Description:
Nice pair
Index: 81
Object: Beta Lyrae
Constellation: Lyr
Common Name: Sheliak
RA: 18h 50m.1
DEC: +33° 22'
Mags: 3.4, 8.6 "
Date Seen: 7/23/2012
Time Seen: 11:38 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 5
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 46”
Measured Sep in “ : 42.5”
Lit PA: 149°
Measured PAo: 146.0°
Description:
Last of the evening.
Index: 82
Object: Struve 2404
Constellation: Aqu
Common Name:
RA: 18h 50m.8
DEC: +10° 59'
Mags: 6.9, 8.1 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 09:45 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 4
EP(s) in mm: 40 20
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 3.6”
Measured Sep in “ : 3.1”
Lit PA: 183°
Measured PAo: 185.0°
Description:
A bit on the tough side to both find and see. The poor seeing didn't help much. Even the picture shows just an elongated disc, although it is in the correct direction.
Index: 83
Object: Otto Struve 525
Constellation: Lyr
Common Name:
RA: 18h 54m.9
DEC: +33° 58'
Mags: 6.0, 7.7 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 10:00 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 45”
Measured Sep in “ : 42.6”
Lit PA: 350°
Measured PAo: 347.2°
Description:
Easy to find from M57. Easy to split. Nice after the double #82 above.
Index: 84
Object: Theta Serpentis
Constellation: Ser
Common Name:
RA: 18h 56m.2
DEC: +04° 12'
Mags: 4.5, 5.4 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 10:11 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 22.3”
Measured Sep in “ : 22.3”
Lit PA: 104°
Measured PAo: 102.8°
Description:
Wide split in the 40mm eyepiece.
Index: 85
Object: Beta Cygni
Constellation: Cyg
Common Name: Albireo
RA: 19h 30m.7
DEC: +27° 58'
Mags: 3.1, 5.1 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 10:18 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 34.4”
Measured Sep in “ : 33.8”
Lit PA: 54°
Measured PAo: 56.7°
Description:
Nice and bright. Pretty pair. Always a crowd pleaser at our public viewing sessions
Index: 86
Object: 57 Aquilae
Constellation: Aqu
Common Name:
RA: 19h 54m.6
DEC: -08° 14'
Mags: 5.8, 6.5 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 10:24 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 36”
Measured Sep in “ : 32.9”
Lit PA: 170°
Measured PAo: 168.5°
Description:
Very close to the almost full moon. The AGC on the camera probably kicked in and made the pair dimmer in the picture. No other stars could be seen in the ep.
Index: 87
Object: 31 Cygni
Constellation: Cyg
Common Name:
RA: 20h 13m.6
DEC: +46° 44'
Mags: 3.8, 6.7,4.8 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 10:39 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 107”, 337”
Measured Sep in “ : 98”, 336.1”
Lit PA: 173°, 323°"
Measured PAo: 170.7°, 323.3°"
Description:
One pair easy to fit on the CCD, the other is too big/wide.
Index: 88 T2i
Object: Alpha Capricornus
Constellation: Cap
Common Name: Algiedi
RA: 20h 18m.1
DEC: -12° 33'
Mags: 3.6, 4.2 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 10:44 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 378”
Measured Sep in “ : 380.0”
Lit PA: 291°
Measured PAo: 307.4°
Description:
Nice and wide. Wide enough to easily see in the finder scope.
Index: 89
Object: Beta Capricornus
Constellation: Cap
Common Name: Dabih
RA: 20h 21m.0
DEC: -14° 47'
Mags: 3.4, 6.2 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 10:50 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 206”
Measured Sep in “ : 206.3”
Lit PA: 267°
Measured PAo: 268.0°
Description:
Looks like this is the widest pair I can split with the video camera. Any larger and it wouldn't have fit on the CCD.
Index: 90
Object: Gamma Delphinus
Constellation: Del
Common Name:
RA: 20h 46m.7
DEC: +16° 07'
Mags: 4.5, 5.5 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 10:57 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 9.6”
Measured Sep in “ : 9.3
Lit PA: 268°
Measured PAo: 270.0°
Description:
Easy with the 40mm.
Index: 91
Object: 61 Cygni
Constellation: Cyg
Common Name:
RA: 21h 06m.9
DEC: +38° 45'
Mags: 5.2, 6.0 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 10:57 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 28”
Measured Sep in “ : 29.8”
Lit PA: 146°
Measured PAo: 149.4°
Description:
Nice and wide
Index: 92
Object: Beta Cephei
Constellation: Cep
Common Name: Alfirk
RA: 21h 28m.7
DEC: +70° 34'
Mags: 3.2, 7.9 "
Date Seen: 8/5/2012
Time Seen: 9:40 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 13.3”
Measured Sep in “ : 13.3”
Lit PA: 249°
Measured PAo: 249.2°
Description:
Can't tell with the finder, but easy with the 40mm The secondary is pretty faint"
Index: 93
Object: Struve 2816
Constellation: Cep
Common Name:
RA: 21h 39m.0
DEC: +57° 29'
Mags: 5.6, 7.7,7.8 "
Date Seen: 8/5/2012
Time Seen: 9:50 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 11.7”, 20”
Measured Sep in “ : 20.2”, 11.9”
Lit PA: 121°, 339°"
Measured PAo: 337.9°, 118.9°"
Description:
Really pretty triplet!
Index: 94
Object: Epsilon Pegasi
Constellation: Peg
Common Name: Enif
RA: 21h 44m.2
DEC: +09° 52'
Mags: 2.4, 8.4 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 11:18 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 142”
Measured Sep in “ : 138.9”
Lit PA: 320°
Measured PAo: 313.8°
Description:
Secondary is dim!
Index: 95
Object: Xi Cephei
Constellation: Cep
Common Name:
RA: 22h 03m.8
DEC: +64° 38'
Mags: 4.4, 6.5 "
Date Seen: 8/5/2012
Time Seen: 9:57 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 7.7”
Measured Sep in “ : 8.7”
Lit PA: 277°
Measured PAo: 277.0°
Description:
Working well again. Got it this time. The roll off roof was in the way the last time I tried!
Index: 96
Object: Zeta Aquarii
Constellation: Aqu
Common Name:
RA: 22h 28m.8
DEC: -00° 01'
Mags: 4.3, 4.5 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 11:25 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 1.8”
Measured Sep in “ : 3.2”
Lit PA: 266°
Measured PAo: 334.9°
Description:
Really close together! Again only elongation, but in the correct direction. Low in the SE and the moon is bright.
Index: 97
Object: Delta Cephei
Constellation: Cep
Common Name:
RA: 22h 29m.2
DEC: +58° 25'
Mags: 3.9, 6.3 "
Date Seen: 8/5/2012
Time Seen: 10:04 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x
Lit Sep: 41”
Measured Sep in “ : 41.2”
Lit PA: 192°
Measured PAo: 190.5°
Description:
Separated with the finder
Index: 98
Object: 8 Lacerta
Constellation: Lac
Common Name: check for triple
RA: 22h 35m.9
DEC: +39° 38'
Mags: 5.7, 6.5 "
Date Seen: 7/31/2012
Time Seen: 11:31 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: 2 days before full
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 22.4”
Measured Sep in “ : 20.0”
Lit PA: 186°
Measured PAo: 186.4°
Description:
Easy after Zeta Aquarii
Index: 99
Object: 94 Aquarii
Constellation: Aqu
Common Name:
RA: 23h 19m.1
DEC: -13° 28'
Mags: 5.3, 7.3 "
Date Seen: 8/20/2012
Time Seen: 12:04 AM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 6
Transparency(x/10): 5
EP(s) in mm: 20
Moon: no
Power(s): 195x
Lit Sep: 12.7”
Measured Sep in “ : 10.1”
Lit PA: 350°
Measured PAo: 354.7°
Description:
The primary seems very bright. A pretty pair.
Index: 100
Object: Sigma Cassiopeiae
Constellation: Cas
Common Name:
RA: 23h 59m.0
DEC: +55° 45'
Mags: 5.0, 7.1 "
Date Seen: 8/5/2012
Time Seen: 10:04 PM CDT
Seeing (x/10): 4
Transparency(x/10): 3
EP(s) in mm: 40, 20"
Moon: no
Power(s): 98x, 195x"
Lit Sep: 3”
Measured Sep in “ : 2.8”
Lit PA: 326°
Measured PAo: 328.5°
Description:
Got it just as it was getting rise over the wall of the observatory. A pretty tight pair, 40mm showed elongation, but 20mm got separation.
Measuring Position Angle and Separation of Double Stars
(in 2012 this was all pretty ground breaking)
Camera Details
After some thought in the spring of 2012, I decided that in addition to the observations required for the objects in the Astronomical League's Double Star Program I would measure the separation and position angles. Rather than measure the data with an traditional astrometric eyepiece or micrometer, I decided to use a low light security board camera to record the double stars as a video file.
Factors that influenced my decision:
red-green colorblindness limits color vision
desire to do some "real" science and measure position angles & separation
640x480 resolution of the camera adapts itself to web page display vs 5000x3000 images for DSLR
video generates a large number of samples in a short time
extremely low light--many doubles can be captured at shutter speed of less than 1/500th of a second
light weight vs DSLR, little load on mount
low cost, less than an astronomic eyepiece
easily adjustable OSD (on screen display) with the attached cable
very small FOV with the Celestron 14 (1.6'x3.3')
adaptable to a flip mirror so locating the double on the CCD would be easy
shorter exposures do exhibit colors
easy to see drift with the drive off
quick capture in the field lead to more data at night
process the data in daylight to get angles and separations
OSD can mirror an image to match eyepiece view
Description of the Camera
The camera is a high definition 0.0002 Lux Starlight Super WDR Board Camera and came with a 1.78mm 165Deg Wide angle Lens, with 1/3 inch SONY High Sensitivity interline CCD, Automatic Super Wide Dynamic Range(WDR) ,3 Dimension Digital Noise Reduction(3D-DNR), OSD Menu Cable control.
Features:
1/3 inch SONY High Sensitivity interline CCD
Automatic Super Wide Dynamic Range (WDR)
0.0002 LUX Starlight(DSS x 128)
3 Dimension Digital Noise Reduction(3D-NR)
Vertical Flip/Mirror/Rotate
Manual shutter: 1/160 ; 1/250; 1/500; 1/700; 1/1000; 1/1600; 1/2500; 1/5000; 1/7000; 1/10 000; 1/30 000; 1/50 000; 1/90 000 ; x2; x3; x4; x5; x6; x8; x10; x12; x14; x16; x24; x32; x64; x128; x256; x512
ECLIPSE 16 Zone,1~5 Level setting
EIS Stabilizer
6x Digital-Zoom
OSD Menu Line control
Dimension: Dual PCB 38 x 38mm
(google: 0.0002 Lux Starlight)
The Camera
The camera's fish eye lens was removed and replaced with a 1.25" nosepiece.
The nose piece was inserted into the 180o position on a Vixen flip mirror, while a 40 year old 40mm Celestron Kelner eyepiece was inserted in the 90o position. The small sensor size on the camera and the long focal length of the C14 produce a FOV of about 1.6x3.3 arcminutes. Trying to find and center the double without the flip mirror is an exercise in futility. The eyepiece was chosen because of the fairly wide field of view (about 25 arcminutes with the C14) and because it was the only ep I have that is fairly parafocal with the camera. Later in the process I used a hacksaw and shortened the eyepiece tube so other eyepieces could be used. Even so, the 40mm remains my favorite for this program.
Mounting the Camera to the Telescope
The camera was attached to a Vixen flip mirror with a 40mm eyepiece in the 90o position. The flip mirror is not used with a diagonal and is inserted directly into the 2" JMI focuser that is attached to the C14. Care was taken so the camera and flip mirror were square to the back and RA axis of the scope and mount. A star was placed on the east side of the CCD and while the drive was switched off, allowed to drift towards the west. The camera was aligned so that the drift went at 270o on the screen protractor. After poor alignment my first night out I took more care squaring the camera to RA. The process was repeated multiple times. After this alignment I do my best to not disturb the camera. Since I do record the drift to the west with the drive off, I do collect data that enables me to make corrections.
One difficulty was that there isn't much head clearance between the eyepiece and the rear of the C14. It was sometimes difficult to see through the eyepiece for sketching. Since starting this program I do pay more attention to the real North in an eyepiece when I'm visually observing
Capturing Video
The video camera outputs an RCA video signal via a BNC connector. A "frame grabber" and software are needed to get the signal to a laptop to record. I use a Dazzle DVD 100. The Dazzle unit connects to my laptop via USB. Audio is not recorded.
Video Capture Software
wxAstroCapture was used to capture and record the video to the hard drive of my laptop. wxAstroCapture is a free capture program primarily intended for astronomical use.
It has no special features that caused me to choose the program other than it is trouble free. One positive feature that wxAstroCapture has is that it inserts a timestamp in the video frame in UCT.
It is available at: http://arnholm.org/astro/software/wxAstroCapture/
Recording Data
A double star from the list was selected, found with the finder scope, located in the 40mm eyepiece, and then on the camera's CCD. Visual observations and a rough paper sketch were made prior to recording. After checking focus, a video in AVI format was recorded at 30 frames per second. After ten seconds of recording the drive was turned off allowing the double star to trail to the west. After ten seconds of drift the drive was restarted and an additional five seconds of video was recorded. In some cases the shutter speed for the video was adjusted to improve the visibility of the stars in the system. Bright stars might require less exposure to prevent bloating or improve separation in narrow systems. Dim stars might require more exposure to record properly. Keeping the same exposure would allow magnitude determination, but that seems beyond the realm of the Double Star program.
The camera has provisions to flip the video either horizontally or vertically and right or left. This feature was used to adjust the output to the same orientation as viewed in the eyepiece. In the video, with tracking off, stars trail to the left. Therefore west is to the left in the pictures. Slewing the telescope to the north with the hand pad produces new stars at the top of the screen. North is up.
Saving Data and the Web Page Log
The video files were immediately renamed to reflect the AL's object number and name of the double star. Where exposure changes were made, it was added to the name of the video file. The actual date and time of the recording is reflected in the time stamp on the file. A typical name for a video file is:
62 Struve 1999 at 2x.avi
This project generates a huge amount of data. The individual AVIs are each 300mb or more. Each AVI is ripped into individual frames for display on the web page log. While all the individual frames are unnecessary, many were used in exploring Reduc. Additional images were stored reflecting the sketches of the individual eyepiece views. The data for each double star was kept in a separate folder.
Building the webpage log took a considerable amount of time. It was assembled by drag and drops from an Excel spreadsheet for data and observations recorded in the field (dates, times, locations, notes, etc.), the still images of the double stars, and the sketched images created in Paint.
Reading the Data
Angles and distances are measured with MB-Ruler, a free program available at:
http://www.markus-bader.de/MB-Ruler/index.d.htm
The only feature lacking in MB-Ruler is cursor control for placement of the protractor so the origin was placed with a mouse.
The center of the protractor is placed on the center of the primary star and the mouse is pointed at the center of the secondary. A "balloon" tells the distance and angle between the two points. The picture on the right shows the measurements with Beta Scorpii.
Error is introduced in approximating the exact centers of the stars, but certainly less that what an astrometric eyepiece would provide. Additionally, if the separation is too small, a small triangle is introduced over the primary, making locating the secondary difficult. (see picture below)
For more detailed work a program like Reduc can be used,
http://www.astrosurf.com/hfosaf/uk/tdownload
Beta Scorpii.
N
W E
S
Measurement In Practice
I first started the video in full screen mode to make sure all images are the same size.
For each double star I check that the drift with the drive off really did move the star in a 270o direction (did it move to the left along the bottom of the protractor?). If not, I measure the angle to find a new offset to be applied to the measured angle.
I then measured, recorded and averaged the distances, angles and drift as displayed in the data "balloon" for three frames chosen at random. The frames were chosen in part by selecting images that produce round stars. I then applied any necessary RA drift offsets for position angle and recorded the final results.
On nights with relatively poor seeing the stars did jump around a bit and introduce a bit of error.
Calibration
The actual measurements are only as good as the calibrations applied. I found an Internet article on double stars* that lists Delta Bootis as a "calibration" for doubles since it has a good distance and has not changed for over 100 years. I've decided to use it as a standard for distance. Measuring the screen distance between the centers of the pair will give me the number of pixels to represent 105" separation for Delta Bootis with the C14 and security camera setup. A simple proportion will give me the spacing for the rest of the doubles in the program. The conversion is:
Separation in " = 2.324 x measured screen units
I did check this value nightly although the only variable I do have is the Dazzle's screen size so it shouldn't change unless I mistakenly choose the wrong Dazzle size.
The angle was calculated by measuring the drift and applying a correction. For example, if drift showed 268.3o I would add a 1.7o correction to the measured angle.
*See: Double Stars for Calibration
I used Lambda Aries as a calibration start when Delta Bootis was not in the sky.
Name RA DEC Mag Mag P.A. Sep. Year
Lambda Aries 01h57.9m +23°36' 4.9 7.3 47°
Problem Areas When Measuring
#69 alpha Hercules shows a few of the problems.
too close to the top of the screen to display the data "balloon": I had to flip the protractor and subtract 180 degrees.
a gray triangle covers the bottom of the primary: if the secondary is in the area, it is difficult to measure. Again the solution is to flip the protractor and make the necessary correction.
very small separation: I can extract a still picture (bmp, jpg, etc.) from the video and do an enlargement to 200% or more
My Thoughts on the Process
In general, I think the results are fairly similar to that of using an astronomic eyepiece. From experience it is certainly less frustrating and time consuming. The major difference is that with an astronomic eyepiece the time is spent in the dark (and possibly cold), while most of this method can be done in daylight analyzing the video. This method allows more data to be captured during the actual observing time and then analyzed with freely available tools.
Taking multiple exposures, measuring a significantly larger number of frames, and applying a statistical treatment to the data would possibly produce results suitable for publication in the Journal of Double Star Observations (http://www.jdso.org/) Obviously, using a tool like Reduc would help speed the data reduction with a larger set of data, but would also negate the simplicity of measurements with a screen protractor.
The project was enjoyable.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse