Embedded Files
Back when I worked on the Stellar Evolution Observing Program (Certificate #0066, 2018-11-25), I viewed most of the targets with binoculars. Back then, it didn't make a difference if you used a telescope or binoculars.
In 2026, certifications were announced for other viewing methods, and now Binocular and Naked Eye have their own special certifications. Here is my submission for the Full Binocular Award.
The Rules for the Full Binocular Level Certificate:
Observe 100 targets from the target categories as shown. They must all be observed using binoculars.
As part of this Observing Program, you’ll be looking at, and understanding the HR diagram. This diagram was developed independently by Ejnar Hertzsprung and Henry Norris Russell around 1910. Although there is a lot to be gained from the study of the HR diagram, its concept is easy. The X (horizontal) axis of the chart is the temperature of the star (color and temperature are the same thing) and the Y (vertical) axis of the chart is the luminosity of the star. The luminosity is the intrinsic brightness of the star. A star's magnitude is the brightness of a star as seen from Earth, so a high luminosity star that's very far away may look dim to us and a lower luminosity star that is nearby may appear brighter to us.
I doctored up and labeled an HR diagram for the observed stars when I did for the original Stellar Evolution Observing Program.
Locations; Latitude Longitude Altitude
Arches - Double O Parking Lot 38.687N 109.539W 5150 ft
Brommelsiek Park 38.723N 90.815W 644 ft
Bryce Canyon – HQ Parking Lot 37.597N 112.170W 8190 ft
Danville Wildlife Area 38.868N 91.514W 823 ft
Green Bank, WV -NRAO Observatory 38.427N 79.832 W 2712 ft
Canyonlands Needles Outpost Site #3 38.178N 109.743W 4910 ft
White Memorial WA (Whiteside) 39.171N 91.005W 802 ft
Home 38.63N 90.55W 560 ft
Binoculars Used: FOV
Bushnell 7x50s 7 degrees
DIY 2x54 binoculars 26 degrees
Lunt 6x30 Solar 6.5 degrees
Orion 11x80 binoculars 4.5 degrees
Orion 10x50 binoculars 6.5 degrees
Oberwerks 15x70 4 degrees.
Filters used: None other than the unknown type built into the Lunt Solar binoculars.
My red/green colorblindness prevents me from seeing and describing color unless the color is very saturated. Stars rarely have saturated colors.
Done: 1/100 AL#: 3
Name: M 42
Other Name: Orion Nebula
Category: Nebulae
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Ori
RA: 05 35 17 hr min sec
Dec: -05 22 51 deg min sec
Magnitude: 4
Type/Color/Age: E
AL Provided Notes:
Includes the Trapezium.
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 03:11 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
I've viewed and imaged M42 100s of times before, so doing it at 11x was easy, even if it was only 30 degrees from the eastern horizon. The nebulosity was easily seen (no color), as were the embedded stars.
Done: 2/100 AL#: 4
Name: M78
Other Name: NGC2068
Category: Nebulae
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Ori
RA: 05 46 46 hr min sec
Dec: +00 04 10 deg min sec
Magnitude: 8.3
Type/Color/Age: R
AL Provided Notes:
Reflection nebula containing 45 T Tauri stars.
My Observations
Date Seen: 2/16/2011
Time Seen: 09:06 p.m. CST
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 7/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Very faint nebulosity visible about 1 field up from the belt towards Betelgeuse. More of a "tougher" than easy.
Done: 3/100 AL#: 8
Name: Barnard 68
Other Name:
Category: Nebulae
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Sgr
RA: 17 22 38 hr min sec
Dec: -23 49 34 deg min sec
Magnitude:
Type/Color/Age: D
AL Provided Notes:
Requires dark skies.
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/1/2018 & 9/10/2018
Time Seen: 09:08 p.m. CDT 9:22 p.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park & Danville WA
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 7/10
My Notes
How do you know when you've seen a dark nebula? I'm in the right field and looking where it should be based on the marker stars, but nothing is there. I repeated the effort at Danville WA, under a much darker sky on 9/10/2018 with identical results.
Done: 4/100 AL#: 9
Name: M 20
Other Name: Trifid Nebula
Category: Nebulae
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Sgr
RA: 18 02 28 hr min sec
Dec: -22 59 11 deg min sec
Magnitude: 9
Type/Color/Age: ERD
AL Provided Notes:
II region.
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/24/2011
Time Seen: 10:42 p.m. CDT
Location: Arches Double O PL
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 9/10
Transparency: 9/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Same field of view as M8 & M21. Above M8, faint but visible. No color. One of the objects I showed at Bryce Canyon with binoculars. Not really a challenge to find.
Done: 5/100 AL#: 10
Name: M 8
Other Name: Lagoon Nebula
Category: Nebulae
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Sgr
RA: 18 04 08 hr min sec
Dec: -24 20 15 deg min sec
Magnitude: 6
Type/Color/Age: ED
AL Provided Notes:
Includes young open cluster NGC 6530
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/27/2011
Time Seen: 10:30 p.m. CDT
Location: Bryce Headquarters
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 9/10
Transparency: 9/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Naked eye, easy to make out with binoculars; both nebula and an open cluster. Same field of view as M20 & M21. One of the objects I showed at Bryce Canyon with binoculars. Easy object, as noted.
Done: 6/100 AL#: 11
Name: M 16
Other Name: Eagle Nebula
Category: Nebulae
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Ser
RA: 18 18 54 hr min sec
Dec: -13 51 04 deg min sec
Magnitude: 5.6
Type/Color/Age: E
AL Provided Notes:
Cluster associated with a star-forming nebula.
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/24/2011
Time Seen: 11:47 p.m. CDT
Location: Arches Double O PL
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 9/10
Transparency: 9/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Nebulosity seen, but no real detail because of the small size. View too small to see the eagle. Easy object, as noted.
Done: 7/100 AL#: 12
Name: M 17
Other Name: Omega Nebula
Category: Nebulae
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Sgr
RA: 18 20 48 hr min sec
Dec: -16 11 00 deg min sec
Magnitude: 9
Type/Color/Age: E
AL Provided Notes:
Also called Horseshoe or Swan Nebula.
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/24/2011
Time Seen: 11:47 p.m. CDT
Location: Arches Double O PL
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 9/10
Transparency: 9/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. A bit small in the 4.5-degree field, but nebulosity clearly seen. The checkmark/swan is clearly visible. Easy object, as noted.
Done: 8/100 AL#: 13
Name: IC 5070 NGC 1435
Other Name: Pelican Nebula
Category: Nebulae
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Cyg
RA: 20 50 48 hr min sec
Dec: +44 21 00 deg min sec
Magnitude: 8
Type/Color/Age: E
AL Provided Notes:
Associated with the North American Nebula; requires dark skies, diffuse.
My Observations
Date Seen: 7/17/2026
Time Seen: 11:28 p.m. EDT
Location: Green Bank, WV
Binoculars: DIY 2x54 binoculars
Magnification: 2x
Seeing: 8/10
Transparency: 8/10
My Notes
The FOV of the 2x binos is 26 degrees. I could see from Deneb to Albireo, with the Veil, North American, and Pelican Nebulae all in the view at the same time. The binos grab about 1.7 magnitudes more than my eyes and all three popped out of the field. Of the three, the Pelican was the hardest to make out.
Done: 9/100 AL#: 14
Name: NGC 7000
Other Name: North America
Category: Nebulae
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Cyg
RA: 20 58 50 hr min sec
Dec: +44 31 00 deg min sec
Magnitude: 8
Type/Color/Age: E
AL Provided Notes:
Visible unaided eye under dark skies.
My Observations
Date Seen: 7/17/2026
Time Seen: 11:28 p.m. EDT
Location: Green Bank, WV
Binoculars: DIY 2x54 binoculars
Magnification: 2x
Seeing: 8/10
Transparency: 8/10
My Notes
The FOV of the 2x binos is 26 degrees. I could see from Deneb to Albireo, with the Veil, North American, and Pelican Nebulae all in view at the same time. The binos grab about 1.7 magnitudes more than my eyes and all three popped out of the field.
Done: 10/100 AL#: 20
Name: NGC 884
Other Name: Double Cluster
Category: Open cluster
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Per
RA: 02 20 50 hr min sec
Dec: +57 07 58 deg min sec
Magnitude: 5.3
Type/Color/Age: ~ 4 M years
AL Provided Notes:
Great sight in a wide-field telescope!
My Observations
Date Seen: 3/16/2012
Time Seen: 08:46 p.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 7/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Fairly easy to find with the parallelogram mount. Kind of impressive with the 11x binos. Angled diagonally, with NGC 884 on the top left and NGC 869 on the lower right. Both clusters were small in the 4.4-degree field.
Done: 11/100 AL#: 21
Name: NGC 869
Other Name: Double Cluster
Category: Open cluster
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Per
RA: 02 20 50 hr min sec
Dec: +57 07 58 deg min sec
Magnitude: 5.3
Type/Color/Age: ~ 4 M years
AL Provided Notes:
Great sight in a wide-field telescope!
My Observations
Date Seen: 3/16/2012
Time Seen: 08:46 p.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 7/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Fairly easy to find with the parallelogram mount. Kind of impressive with the 11x binos. Angled diagonally, with NGC 884 on the top left and NGC 869 on the lower right. Both clusters were small in the 4.4-degree field.
Done: 12/100 AL#: 22
Name: M45
Other Name: Pleiades
Category: Open cluster
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Tau
RA: 03 46 03 hr min sec
Dec: +24 07 57 deg min sec
Magnitude: 1.6
Type/Color/Age: ~100 M years
AL Provided Notes:
Close, bright. 440 ly away.
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 03:04 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
I've viewed and imaged M45 100s of times before, so doing it at 11x was easy, even if it was only 20 degrees from the 3rd quarter moon. No nebulosity seen, but many stars.
Done: 13/100 AL#: 23
Name: CW16
Other Name: Hyades
Category: Open cluster
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Tau
RA: 04 29 47 hr min sec
Dec: +16 56 53 deg min sec
Magnitude:
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 3/15/2015
Time Seen: 08:36 p.m. CDT
Location: Danville WA
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
The Hyades... Huge--no star hop needed to find this one; just point the binos at Aldebaran. Even bigger than the 4.4-degree fov for the binoculars. Many bright stars of equal brightness with a few dimmer. Probably well over 80, spread over a big area. I'd say Trumpler II 2 m. No central concentration. Part of the Urban program.
Done: 14/100 AL#: 24
Name: M37
Other Name: NGC 2099
Category: Open cluster
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Aur
RA: 05 52 18 hr min sec
Dec: +32 32 42 deg min sec
Magnitude: 6
Type/Color/Age: 450 m yrs
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 11/17/2011
Time Seen: 08:54 p.m. CST
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Tiny open cluster in the center of the field of view. As the lowest of the three open clusters in Auriga, it is very faint in the glow of Chesterfield but easy to find. No detail possible. Easy object as noted.
Done: 15/100 AL#: 25
Name: M47
Other Name:
Category: Open cluster
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Pup
RA: 07 36 00 hr min sec
Dec: ?14 30 00 deg min sec
Magnitude: 4.4
Type/Color/Age: 73 m yrs
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 12/23/2011
Time Seen: 11:24 p.m. CST
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Faint open cluster in the same field of view as M46. More towards the west and north of M46. It is more pronounced, too. Required star hopping. Not easy.
Done: 16/100 AL#: 26
Name: M44
Other Name: Beehive Cluster
Category: Open cluster
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Cnc
RA: 08 39 57 hr min sec
Dec: +19 40 21 deg min sec
Magnitude: 3.1
Type/Color/Age: 600 M years
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 05:01 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
About fifteen degrees above the NEN horizon and in the St. Louis light dome. Thirty stars in a ball taking up most of the 4-degree field of view.
Done: 17/100 AL#: 29
Name: M6
Other Name: NGC6405
Category: Open cluster
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Sco
RA: 17 40 17 hr min sec
Dec: -32 16 17 deg min sec
Magnitude: 4.5
Type/Color/Age: 100 M years
AL Provided Notes:
Butterfly Cluster
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/25/2011
Time Seen: 09:50 p.m. CDT
Location: Needles Outpost
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 10/10
Transparency: 9/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Easily visible, sweeping the area between Sgr and Sco. M7 is further west and a bit further north. Easy object as noted.
Done: 18/100 AL#: 30
Name: M7
Other Name: Ptolemy's Cluster
Category: Open cluster
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Sco
RA: 17 53 00 hr min sec
Dec: ?34 47 00 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/25/2011
Time Seen: 09:50 p.m. CDT
Location: Needles Outpost
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 10/10
Transparency: 9/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Easily visible, sweeping the area between Sgr and Sco. M7 is further west and a bit further north. Easy object, as noted.
Done: 19/100 AL#: 31
Name: M24
Other Name: Sagittarius Star Cloud
Category: Open cluster
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Sgr
RA: 18 17 00 hr min sec
Dec: ?18 29 00 deg min sec
Magnitude: 2.5
Type/Color/Age: 220 m yrs
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/27/2011
Time Seen: 10:35 p.m. CDT
Location: Bryce Headquarters
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 9/10
Transparency: 8/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Many stars in the star field. Most impressive with the binoculars and a very black sky. Good views sweeping the Milky Way. Of the three, M23, M24, & M25, this one, M24, has the most stars and is in the center. Easy object, as noted.
Done: 20/100 AL#: 32
Name: M25
Other Name:
Category: Open cluster
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Sgr
RA: 18 31 00 hr min sec
Dec: ?19 07 00 deg min sec
Magnitude: 4.6
Type/Color/Age: 92 m yrs
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/24/2011
Time Seen: 11:09 p.m. CDT
Location: Arches Double O PL
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 8/10
Transparency: 09/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Small open cluster of 20 or so stars. Easy to find. Of the three, M23, M24, M25, M25 is the most easterly. Easy object as noted.
Done: 21/100 AL#: 33
Name: M11
Other Name: Wild Duck
Category: Open cluster
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Sct
RA: 18 51 06 hr min sec
Dec: -06 16 00 deg min sec
Magnitude: 5.8
Type/Color/Age: 220 M years
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/25/2011
Time Seen: 10:46 p.m. CDT
Location: Needles Outpost
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 10/10
Transparency: 9/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Small, tight open cluster. Good object to revisit for public viewings. Easy object as noted.
Done: 22/100 AL#: 38
Name: HD 14633
Other Name: SAO 37987
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: And
RA: 56302 hr min sec
Dec: +41 28 48 deg min sec
Magnitude: 7.46
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/13/2026
Time Seen: 12:00 AM CDT
Location: Brommelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 10x50
Magnification: 10x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Another flat on my back on the picnic table target. Great Square, up Andromeda to Gamma And, and HD 14633 was in the field of view. A bit dim, but not the worst of the night, and being straight up had better transparency.
Done: 23/100 AL#: 39
Name: Upsilon Ori
Other Name: Tabit
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Ori
RA: 05 31 56 hr min sec
Dec: -07 18 06 deg min sec
Magnitude:
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/3/2026
Time Seen: 03:16 AM CDT
Location: Whiteside
Binoculars: Bushnell 7x50
Magnification: 7X
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 06/10
My Notes
Pretty easy to find once I looked it up in SkySafari. Continue down from Orion’s belt through M42 and pick the brightest star above a line between Rigel and Saiph. Once I knew it was there, I could even pick it up with the naked eye.
Done: 24/100 AL#: 40
Name: Sigma Ori
Other Name:
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Ori
RA: 05 38 45 hr min sec
Dec: -02 36 00 deg min sec
Magnitude:
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/3/2026
Time Seen: 03:15 AM CDT
Location: Whiteside
Binoculars: Bushnell 7x50
Magnification: 7X
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 06/10
My Notes
It is in the same field of view as Alnitak. With the 7x binos it is just towards M42 from Alnitak. I had a bit of trouble doing it with the naked eye.
Done: 25/100 AL#: 43
Name: Zeta Op
Other Name: SAO 160006
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Oph
RA: 16 37 10 hr min sec
Dec: -10 34 02 deg min sec
Magnitude: 2.6
Type/Color/Age: O
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:33 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
The middle star in the bottom three of Oph. Surprisingly bright with no color (white).
Done: 26/100 AL#: 44
Name: 10 Lacertae
Other Name: SAO 72575
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Lac
RA: 22 39 16 hr min sec
Dec: +39 03 01 deg min sec
Magnitude: 4.9
Type/Color/Age: O
AL Provided Notes:
16 solar masses
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 11:33 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
A convoluted starhop for me up from the Great Square to this guy…Matar, Pi2 Peg, 1 Lac, to 10 Lac. A mag 5 star that is white. SkySafari says double, but no split in the binoculars.
Done: 27/100 AL#: 48
Name: SAO 45864
Other Name: Algol
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Per
RA: 03 08 10 hr min sec
Dec: +40 57 20 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 3/12/2013
Time Seen: 8:53 pm CST
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 7/10
My Notes
Looking for Algol while doing the Universe Sampler Program. Easy to find in the binos because it was so bright. Magnitude guess 2.1.
Done: 28/100 AL#: 49
Name: Theta 1 Ori
Other Name: SAO 132314
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Ori
RA: 05 35 16 hr min sec
Dec: -05 23 23 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/3/2026
Time Seen: 03:08 AM CDT
Location: Whiteside
Binoculars: Bushnell 7x50
Magnification: 7X
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 06/10
My Notes
I think my naked eye notes say it all: “Well, I can see the Orion nebula, and the brighter spot in it that’s the Trapezium. To say that I’m harp-eyed enough to actually split that and see just Theta 1 apart from the rest of the bright nebula, ehhhhh. “
Done: 29/100 AL#: 50
Name: Eta Uma
Other Name: Alkaid
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: UMa
RA: 13 47 32 hr min sec
Dec: +49 18 48 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/2/2026
Time Seen: 09:07 PM CDT
Location: Whiteside
Binoculars: Oberwerk 15X70
Magnification: 15x
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 7/10
My Notes
An easy one to find as Alkaid is the last star in the Dipper’s handle. Bright.
Done: 30/100 AL#: 51
Name: Beta Cyg
Other Name: Beta Cyg
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Cyg
RA: 19 30 43 hr min sec
Dec: +27 57 35 deg min sec
Magnitude: 3.1
Type/Color/Age: B
AL Provided Notes:
Beautiful – the blue star
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:02 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Always popular at FNOHs because of the colors; Albrieo B is the blue component. Visible to the naked eye.
Done: 31/100 AL#: 54
Name: Eta Ori
Other Name:
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Ori
RA: 05 24 29 hr min sec
Dec: -2 23 50 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/3/2026
Time Seen: 04:07 AM CDT
Location: Whiteside
Binoculars: Bushnell 7x50
Magnification: 7X
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 06/10
My Notes
It is over on the west side of Orion, about where his hip would be. It is easy to spot with either binoculars or the naked eye.
Done: 32/100 AL#: 57
Name: Mu And
Other Name: SAO 54281
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: And
RA: 00 56 45 hr min sec
Dec: +38 29 58 deg min sec
Magnitude: 3.9
Type/Color/Age: A
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/12/2018
Time Seen: 12:02 AM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Easy to find in the binoculars between M31 and Mirach, and seen often in the past. I didn't see any color that is appropriate for a class A star.
Done: 33/100 AL#: 59
Name: Alpa CMa
Other Name: Sirius
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: CMa
RA: 06 45 09 hr min sec
Dec: -16 43 11 deg min sec
Magnitude: -1.4
Type/Color/Age: A
AL Provided Notes:
Brightest star in the sky.
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 04:28 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
I waited for an hour for Sirius to get high enough to be seen. Bright white, no color, lots of twinkling over Troy, MO.
Done: 34/100 AL#: 61
Name: Alpa Lyr
Other Name: Vega
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Lyr
RA: 18 36 56 hr min sec
Dec: +38 47 04 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age: A
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 8:47 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Vega was not quite at the zenith when viewed. Easy to see with naked eyes even in the less-than-dark conditions. It really stood out in the binoculars. Big, bright, glaring white, and twinkling.
Done: 35/100 AL#: 62
Name: Alpa Aql
Other Name: Altair
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Aql
RA: 19 50 47 hr min sec
Dec: +08 52 10 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0.8
Type/Color/Age: A
AL Provided Notes:
Altair, Vega, and Deneb form the summer triangle; all are 'A' stars.
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 8:58 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Knowing where these stars are and having them bright enough with the naked eye really makes observing them a whole lot easier. Altair was relly high in the SW and very bright. Lots of twinkle in the binocuarls with a glaring white color.
Done: 36/100 AL#: 63
Name: Alpa PsA
Other Name: Fomalhaut
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: PsA
RA: 22 57 39 hr min sec
Dec: -29 37 20 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/2/2026
Time Seen: 09:20 pm CDT
Location: Whiteside
Binoculars: Oberwerk 51x10
Magnification: 15x
Seeing: 3/5
Transparency: 7/10
My Notes
It has always seemed to me that Fomalhaut is the brightest and most neglected star in the Fall sky. It is easy to find because nothing else is there. I saw it with the naked eye and then switched over to binoculars.
Done: 37/100 AL#: 64
Name: Omega Aur
Other Name: 4 Aur
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Aur
RA: 04 59 15 hr min sec
Dec: +37 53 24 deg min sec
Magnitude: 5.1
Type/Color/Age: A
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 03:15 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
An easy star hop from Capella. It was fairly dim under the third quarter moon possibly magnitude 6-7, so it didn't pop out. I didn't see any color.
Done: 38/100 AL#: 68
Name: Eta Ari
Other Name:
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Ari
RA: 54100 hr min sec
Dec: +21 12 40 deg min sec
Magnitude: 5.2
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/12/2026
Time Seen: 11:53 PM CDT
Location: Brommelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 10x50
Magnification: 10x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
I could kind of make out Hamel naked eye, and easily with the 2x binoculars. Eta Ari was south of it in the bino field of view. It makes a right triangle with Hamel and Beta Ari.
Done: 39/100 AL#: 70
Name: Gamma Lepus
Other Name:
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Lep
RA: 05 44 28 hr min sec
Dec: -22 26 54 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/3/2026
Time Seen: 03:35 AM CDT
Location: Whiteside
Binoculars: Bushnell 7x50
Magnification: 7X
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 06/10
My Notes
I had to look this one up in SkySafari. It is an easy starhop from Rigel, three fields down with my 7x50 binos. The first field has a big V, the second wo bright stars, and the third this guy. Once I knew where it was, it was easy to see with the naked eye.
Done: 40/100 AL#: 71
Name: Alpa CMi
Other Name: Procyon
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: CMi
RA: 07 39 18 hr min sec
Dec: +05 13 19 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0.4
Type/Color/Age: F
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 04:29 p.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
I waited for an hour to see Sirius and Procyon (was hiding behind a tree) before they got up high enough to really view. Procyon had a slight yellow color.
Done: 41/100 AL#: 73
Name: Theta Boo
Other Name: 23 Boo
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Boo
RA: 14 25 12 hr min sec
Dec: +51 51 02 deg min sec
Magnitude: 4.1
Type/Color/Age: F
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:23 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
This is the first time I've consciously seen this guy. It was an easy star hop from Alkaid at the end of the Dipper's handle. It looks white to me without a trace of color. There's an interesting three-star pattern below it towards the Dipper with Asellus Secundus and Tertius, and a third star.
Done: 42/100 AL#: 74
Name: Iota Peg
Other Name: 24 Peg
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Peg
RA: 22 07 01 hr min sec
Dec: +25 20 43 deg min sec
Magnitude: 3.8
Type/Color/Age: F
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 11:58 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
A nice starhop from the Great Square along the raised leg of Peg. SkySafari says variable, double, but I couldn't split it. It was a bit yellowish.
Done: 43/100 AL#: 77
Name: Sun
Other Name:
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: --
RA: --
Dec: --
Magnitude: -26.7
Type/Color/Age: G
AL Provided Notes:
Proper filter required.
My Observations
Date Seen: 09/04/2017
Time Seen: 12:10 pm CDT
Location: Home
Binoculars: Lunt 6x binoculars
Magnification: 6x
Seeing: 4/5
Transparency: 3/5
My Notes
I've seen the Sun with Lunt 6x Solar Binoculars as part of several Astronomical League Observing Programs: Galileo, Solar System, Hydrogen Alpha, and SunSpotter. Probably the best (and most embarrassing) was Galileo, where observations were done weekly to track the rotation of a sunspot. I didn't know that sunspots were renumbered if they came around again, so I ended up looking weekly from September 2017 until May 2018. Only after I discovered my error did I realize that I had collected the needed observations by the end of the first month. My SolarSystem with Binoculars log is here.
Done: 44/100 AL#: 78
Name: Gliese 67 HD 10307
Other Name: HD 10307
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: And
RA: 01 41 47 hr min sec
Dec: +42 36 48 deg min sec
Magnitude: 4.96
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/12/2026
Time Seen: 11:36 PM CDT
Location: Brommelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 10x50
Magnification: 10x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
The only problem here was that it was almost straight up so I resorted to stretching out on a picnic table to look up. The 2x binos helped me find the Great Square, and then up the Andromeda chain to Gamma And. Gliese 67 is in the same binocular field.
Done: 45/100 AL#: 79
Name: Tau Cet
Other Name: IP 8102
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Cet
RA: 01 44 03 hr min sec
Dec: -15 56 06 deg min sec
Magnitude: 3.5
Type/Color/Age: G
AL Provided Notes:
.81 solar mass
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 02:54 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
Almost on the meridian when viewed, and that made it much easier to find since it wasn't naked-eye visible. A bit of yellowish color.
Done: 46/100 AL#: 81
Name: Beta Com
Other Name: SAO 82706
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Com
RA: 13 11 52 hr min sec
Dec: +27 52 51 deg min sec
Magnitude: 4.2
Type/Color/Age: G
AL Provided Notes:
1.1 solar mass
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:21 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
On a line between Arcturus and Cor Caroli. It wasn't naked-eye visible, but easy in the binoculars 4-degree FOV. A G-type star, but I didn't see any color (should be yellowish?). There's a nice double of 41 Com and HIP 64077 below it.
Done: 47/100 AL#: 83
Name: 18 Sco
Other Name: SAO 141066
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Sco
RA: 16 15 37 hr min sec
Dec: -08 22 15 deg min sec
Magnitude: 5.5
Type/Color/Age: G
AL Provided Notes:
1.0 solar mass
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:31 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
I started the starhop at Yed Posterior in Oph, and it was almost in the same field. It was between magnitudes 5 & 6, so it stood out in the eyepiece with little recognizable color.
Done: 48/100 AL#: 84
Name: 51 Peg
Other Name: SAO 90896
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Peg
RA: 22 57 28 hr min sec
Dec: +20 46 08 deg min sec
Magnitude: 5.5
Type/Color/Age: G
AL Provided Notes:
1.1 solar mass (Hosts first extra-solar planet ever found)
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 11:28 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
The star with the first known exoplanet. It was a bit hard to find off the Great Square between Scheat and Markab. I eventually got there from Mu Peg. It was mag 6 and slightly yellow.
Done: 49/100 AL#: 88
Name: Epsilon Eri
Other Name: 18 Eri
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Eri
RA: 03 32 55 hr min sec
Dec: -09 27 30 deg min sec
Magnitude: 3.7
Type/Color/Age: K
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 03:42 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
Not as hard to find as I thought it would be. I'm not very familiar with Eri, and there weren't too many bright marker stars to see with the naked eye in the area. At the time I viewed it, it was about 1/2 way between Rigel and the meridian, so I just pointed to the area, and to my surprise, it was in the 4-degree FOV. A bit orange in color.
Done: 50/100 AL#: 92
Name: 14 Her
Other Name:
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Her
RA: 16 10 24 hr min sec
Dec: +43 49 04 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/2/2026
Time Seen: 09:07 PM CDT
Location: Whiteside
Binoculars: Oberwerk 15X70
Magnification: 15X
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 06/10
My Notes
Easy to find starting at the Keystone in Hercules. From the star closest to M13, take the “leg” down around the knee. Between the knee and foot, there’s a bright star. 14 Her is the brightest star back towards M13.
Done: 51/100 AL#: 93
Name: Sigma Dra
Other Name: Alsafi
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Dra
RA: 19 32 22 hr min sec
Dec: +69 39 21 deg min sec
Magnitude: 4.7
Type/Color/Age: K
AL Provided Notes:
.82 solar mass
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/12/2018
Time Seen: 12:51 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
The background sky was bright enough that I had trouble identifying the loop of Draco where Sigma is. I ended up star-hopping up from the bowl of the Little Dipper about 3 fields up and along the meridian until I found Tyi and Altais. Sigma Dra was between them. It had a bit of a yellowish color and was about mag 6.
Done: 52/100 AL#: 94
Name: 61 Cyg A
Other Name:
Category: Main Sequence Low Mass Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Cyg
RA: 21 06 54 hr min sec
Dec: +38 44 58 deg min sec
Magnitude: 5.2
Type/Color/Age: K
AL Provided Notes:
.63 solar mass. brighter member of binary pair
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/12/2018
Time Seen: 12:55 AM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Out in the middle of nowhere in Cygnus. It forms the 4th corner of a large square with Deneb, Sadr, and Glenah, but it took me a while to figure that out for the starhop. It is the primary of a double star that I could almost split. Both stars looked a bit orange.
Done: 53/100 AL#: 98
Name: Gliese 229
Other Name:
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Lep
RA: 06 10 35 hr min sec
Dec: -21 52 01 deg min sec
Magnitude: 8.2
Type/Color/Age: M
AL Provided Notes:
18.8 ly
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 04:58 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
After viewing a long string of bright known stars tonight this presented a bit of a challenge. It was three FOVs west of Sirius and about 15 degrees above the southeastern horizon. While it isn't too bad in that direction, St. Louis light pollution and the third-quarter moon were working aginst me. There was a distinctive pattern of stars to the west, but this was dim enough that I could only see it with averted vision. No color seen.
Done: 54/100 AL#: 99
Name: Lalande 21185
Other Name:
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: UMa
RA: 11 03 20 hr min sec
Dec: +35 57 21 deg min sec
Magnitude: 7.5
Type/Color/Age: M
AL Provided Notes:
One of the brighter red dwarfs
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/17/2018
Time Seen: 5:12 a.m.CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
SkySafari reports this star as the 4th closest neighbor to our solar system. It was about 30 degrees up in the northeast when viewed. It was a bit dim with a slight reddish color when seen between the legs of Ursa Major. No moon in the sky when viewed.
Done: 55/100 AL#: 100
Name: Alpa Lib
Other Name: Zubenelgenubi
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Lib
RA: 14 50 41 hr min sec
Dec: -15 59 50 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 5/14/2012
Time Seen: 10:45 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Zubenelgenubi. Once I knew that it was the bright star below Zubeneschamali, no problem. Easy to split for the bino double star OP, I needed to see it visually to know where to point the binos. No color.
Done: 56/100 AL#: 102
Name: Barnard's Star
Other Name:
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Op
RA: 17 57 48 hr min sec
Dec: +04 43 26 deg min sec
Magnitude: 9.5
Type/Color/Age: M
AL Provided Notes:
Red dwarf, quite dim.
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:54 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
This was really a tough find, just on the border of what I could do under the sky conditions with binoculars. When viewed, it was as dark as it was going to get, and there wasn't a moon, but Barnard 68 is DIM. No color, just too dim to see, and averted vision helped me make sure I saw it. My starhop started at Cebalrai, Oph's left shoulder. Cebalrai was slightly out of the field to get Barnard 68 in view.
Done: 57/100 AL#: 104
Name: Ross 154
Other Name: V1216 Sag
Category: Main Sequence Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Sgr
RA: 18 49 50 hr min sec
Dec: -23 50 12 deg min sec
Magnitude: 10.4
Type/Color/Age: M
AL Provided Notes:
Flare star – Hydrogen burning.
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:58 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
I started with a short ar hopup from Nunki in Sag. Very dim, so no color was seen. Averted vision made it easier to verify.
Done: 58/100 AL#: 109
Name: Omicron Cet
Other Name: Mira
Category: Variable Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Cet
RA: 44246 hr min sec
Dec: -02 58 40 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/13/2026
Time Seen: 12:07 AM CDT
Location: Brommelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 10x50
Magnification: 10x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
I used my 2x binoculars to find the Head of Cetus. From there, I moved to Delta Cet, and Mira was just off the field to the SW. It was difficult to see, near the limit of my 10x binoculars that night, probably around magnitude 8.
Done: 59/100 AL#: 112
Name: R Aql
Other Name:
Category: Variable Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Aql
RA: 19 06 22 hr min sec
Dec: +08 13 48 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
Mira variable star
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 10:03 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
I starhopped twice to make sure of the location: first from Deneb al Okab at Aql's wing tip and second for Delta Aql in the body. It is a variable. I didn't measure the brightness but would guess 6-7. Maybe light orange in color.
Done: 60/100 AL#: 113
Name: RR Lyra
Other Name:
Category: Variable Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Lyr
RA: 19 25 28 hr min sec
Dec: +42 47 04 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
RR Lyra variable star
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/12/2018
Time Seen: 12:12 AM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
I had a heck of a time finding this guy 1/2 way between Vega and Al Fawaris in Cyg. Very high in the sky and the zero gravity recliner helped. A short period varible star with no color that I could see. Mabye mag 8 as an estimate.
Done: 61/100 AL#: 114
Name: ? Aql
Other Name:
Category: Variable Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Aql
RA: 19 52 28 hr min sec
Dec: +01 00 20 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
Cepeid variable star
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 10:30 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
I could make out Theta Aql with naked eyes so started the starhop there. Eta was a FOV to the west. It was about mag 4 with little color, possibly yellowish.
Done: 62/100 AL#: 115
Name: ? Cep
Other Name:
Category: Variable Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Cep
RA: 22 29 10 hr min sec
Dec: +58 27 52 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
Cepeid variable star
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 11:07 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
The lower left corner of the doghouse in Cep, but upside down when viewed. Easy to see with the naked eye. It is a variable star about mag 4,but I couldn't see any color.
Done: 63/100 AL#: 120
Name: Beta Andromedae
Other Name: Mirach
Category: Red Giant Star
Object Type: Star
Constellation: And
RA: 01 09 44 hr min sec
Dec: +35 37 13 deg min sec
Magnitude: 2.1
Type/Color/Age: (M)
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/12/2018
Time Seen: 12:04 AM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Big and bright, easy to see above the St. Louis/Chesterfield glare in the east. I use Mirach as my primary starhop to get to M31 from the Great Square. Maybe a touch of light reddish color, but still almost white.
Done: 64/100 AL#: 121
Name: Delta Cet
Other Name:
Category: Red Giant Star
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Cet
RA: 02 39 29 hr min sec
Dec: +00 19 43 deg min sec
Magnitude: 4.1
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
Blue Giant
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/13/2026
Time Seen: 12:10 AM CDT
Location: Brommelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 10x50
Magnification: 10x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
I used my 2x binoculars to find the Head of Cetus. From there, I moved down to Delta Cet. It was much easier to see in binoculars that night than Mira in the same field.
Done: 65/100 AL#: 122
Name: Alpa Tau
Other Name: Aldebaran
Category: Red Giant Star
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Tau
RA: 04 35 55 hr min sec
Dec: +16 30 31 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0.9
Type/Color/Age: (K)
AL Provided Notes:
Orange giant
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 03:05 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
Within ten degrees of the 3/4 quarter moon when viewed but bright enough that it was easy to find. A bit of orange color.
Done: 66/100 AL#: 123
Name: Beta Gem
Other Name: Pollux
Category: Red Giant Star
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Gem
RA: 07 45 18 hr min sec
Dec: +28 01 34 deg min sec
Magnitude: 1.1
Type/Color/Age: (K)
AL Provided Notes:
Orange giant
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 03:24 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
Low in the northeast when viewed. Bright with a slight yellow/orange color.
Done: 67/100 AL#: 124
Name: Alpa Aur
Other Name: Capella
Category: Red Giant Star
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Aur
RA: 05 16 41 hr min sec
Dec: +45 59 48 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0.1
Type/Color/Age: (G)
AL Provided Notes:
Multiple stars. Early in red giant branch
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 03:03 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
One of the things I wanted to do tonight (this morning?) was to look for Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. It was in the same field as Capella, and I must have looked at the field for at least twenty minutes over the four hours I was at the park. The very bright Capella had a bit of yellow color.
Done: 68/100 AL#: 125
Name: Gamma Ori
Other Name: Bellatrix
Category: Red Giant Star
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Ori
RA: 05 25 08 hr min sec
Dec: +06 20 59 deg min sec
Magnitude: 1.6
Type/Color/Age: B
AL Provided Notes:
10 solar masses
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 03:18 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
Orion's right shoulder was bright white.
Done: 69/100 AL#: 128
Name: Alpa Vir
Other Name: Spica
Category: Red Giant Star
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Vir
RA: 13 25 12 hr min sec
Dec: -11 09 41 deg min sec
Magnitude: 1
Type/Color/Age: B
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 8:49 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Not fully dark yeat, but bright enough to pick up with naked eye. About dead center on a line between Venus and Jupiter, low in the SW. Airmass was high so ther was a good deal of seeing noise. Bright, shimmering white in color.
Done: 70/100 AL#: 129
Name: Alpa Boo
Other Name: Arcturus
Category: Red Giant Star
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Boo
RA: 14 15 39 hr min sec
Dec: +19 10 36 deg min sec
Magnitude: -0.1
Type/Color/Age: (K)
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 8:43 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
I started picking up the brighter stars as they popped out. Arcturus was one of the first. It is one of my favorite summer alignment stars, so I see it a lot, but this is the first time I've ever logged it. It was big and bright, high in the sky, and easy to pick out. It has a touch of red-orange color and is easy to find on most labeled HR Diagrams
Done: 71/100 AL#: 130
Name: Alpa Op
Other Name: Rasalhague
Category: Red Giant Star
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Op
RA: 17 34 56 hr min sec
Dec: +12 33 34 deg min sec
Magnitude: 2.1
Type/Color/Age: A
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:18 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Very high in the sky and easily visible naked eye. I put the binoculars on it first but moved over to Rassalgethi for a view and observaitons before recording this. Whiteish in color. A double that is too close to split with my binoculars.
Done: 72/100 AL#: 132
Name: Beta Cyg
Other Name: Albireo A
Category: Red Giant Star
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Cyg
RA: 19 30 43 hr min sec
Dec: +27 57 35 deg min sec
Magnitude: 3.1
Type/Color/Age: K
AL Provided Notes:
Beautiful – the orange star
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:02 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Always popular at FNOHs because of the colors; Albrieo A is the yellow component. Visible to the naked eye.
Done: 73/100 AL#: 133
Name: Beta Cep
Other Name: Alfirk
Category: Red Giant Star
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Cep
RA: 21 28 51 hr min sec
Dec: +70 33 39 deg min sec
Magnitude: 3.2
Type/Color/Age: B
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 10:35 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
The top left corner of the doghouse in Cep, although it was upside down when viewed. I could pick it up with the naked eye fairly high in the sky near the meridian. SkySafari says a double, but I can only see one star. I don't see any color at all, so I'll say white. SkySafari also says variable, but only .01 to .3 in less than a day...can't see that with binos.
Done: 74/100 AL#: 135
Name: Beta Peg
Other Name: Scheat
Category: Red Giant Star
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Peg
RA: 23 03 47 hr min sec
Dec: +28 05 00 deg min sec
Magnitude: 2.4
Type/Color/Age: (M)
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 11:15 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
On the Great Square and high in the sky. Glare from Chesterfield made it more difficult than it should have been. Some reddish color, but I can't split the double with binoculars.
Done: 75/100 AL#: 141
Name: R Scl
Other Name: SAO 193122
Category: Carbon Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Scl
RA: 57736 hr min sec
Dec: –32 32 35 deg min sec
Magnitude: 6.7
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/13/2026
Time Seen: 12:15 AM CDT
Location: Brommelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 10x50
Magnification: 10x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
About 20 degrees above the southern horizon when viewed. It was pretty dim and not particularly easy to find. The surrounding area was pretty sparse nd no real finder stars. I had to resort to using the 2x binos to get an idea for where to look. SkySafari says double, I couldn’t see any companion.
Done: 76/100 AL#: 143
Name: R Lep
Other Name: Hind's Crimson Star
Category: Carbon Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Lep
RA: 04 59 36 hr min sec
Dec: -14 48 23 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/3/2026
Time Seen: 03:20 AM CDT
Location: Whiteside
Binoculars: Bushnell 7x50
Magnification: 7X
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 06/10
My Notes
Hershel’s Crimson Star is easy to find. Start at Eta Ori and move about 1 ½ fields past Rigel and the V, and look for the red star. Mu Lep is also bright, but lacks the red color.
Done: 77/100 AL#: 144
Name: W Ori
Other Name: HD 32736
Category: Carbon Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Ori
RA: 05 05 23 hr min sec
Dec: +01 10 39 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/3/2026
Time Seen: 03:07 AM CDT
Location: Whiteside
Binoculars: Bushnell 7x50
Magnification: 7X
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 06/10
My Notes
A bit further west than the last star in Orion’s belt (Mintaka). About ½ a field down too. It is out past the lower end of the shield, and pretty much all alone.
Done: 78/100 AL#: 145
Name: UU Aur
Other Name: SAO 59280
Category: Carbon Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Aur
RA: 06 36 33 hr min sec
Dec: +38 26 44 deg min sec
Magnitude: 5.4
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/13/2026
Time Seen: 12:20 AM CDT
Location: Brommelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 10x50
Magnification: 10x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Definitely the most difficult (and last) target of the night. It was about 25 degrees above the horizon in the NE, in part of the St. Louis light dome. If it had been any dimmer, I wouldn’t have been able to pick it up.
Done: 79/100 AL#: 149
Name: SS Vir
Other Name:
Category: Carbon Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Vir
RA: 12 25 14 hr min sec
Dec: +00 46 11 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 6/3/2018
Time Seen: 11:40 PM DCT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Busnell 7x50
Magnification: 7x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
An estimated magnitude 8.3 at the time of observation.
Done: 80/100 AL#: 150
Name: Y CVn
Other Name: La Superba
Category: Carbon Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: CVn
RA: 12 45 08 hr min sec
Dec: +45 26 25 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:16 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
This star is about 1/2 way between Cor Coroli and the cup of the Big Dipper. While it isn't naked-eye, it is bright enough to stand out in the binoculars. After doing the Binocular Variable Star and Carbon Star Programs, seeing La Superba is like visiting an old friend. Since I'm R/G colorblind, I do have problems detecting red color, but La Superba is saturated enough that it shows red.
Done: 81/100 AL#: 151
Name: V Aql
Other Name:
Category: Carbon Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Aql
RA: 19 04 24 hr min sec
Dec: -05 41 05 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/2/2026
Time Seen: 09:07 PM CDT
Location: Witeside
Binoculars: Oberwerk 15X70
Magnification: 7X
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 06/10
My Notes
Easy to find. Start at Altair and go to the bottom two stars in Aql. To the east it is a dimmer star that makes an iscoslese tringle with the other two.
Done: 82/100 AL#: 152
Name: Mu Cep
Other Name: Herschel's Garnet Star
Category: Carbon Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Cep
RA: 21 43 30 hr min sec
Dec: +58 46 48 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 10:37 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Another friend from the Carbon Star and Binocular Variable Star Programs. It is easy to find in the middle of the bottom of the doghouse with a red color that makes it stand out. I've seen it called Arakis, as in the star in Dune.
Done: 83/100 AL#: 153
Name: TX Psc
Other Name:
Category: Carbon Stars
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Aql
RA: 23 46 24 hr min sec
Dec: +03 29 13 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/3/2026
Time Seen: 04:20 AM CDT
Location: Whiteside
Binoculars: Bushnell 7x50
Magnification: 7X
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 06/10
My Notes
I found this on a lark. It was early AM when I was working on the Challenge. I noticed that the only distinct thing I could see in the south was Saturn. I checked SkySafari, and it showed TX Psc, below and to the east. Naked eye didn’t show much. The 2x binos showed a few stars, so I switched to the 7x50. Sweeping down from Saturn, and then east, I found this dim star.
Done: 84/100 AL#: 172
Name: M27
Other Name: Dumbbell Nebula
Category: Planetary Nebulae
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Vul
RA: 19 59 36 hr min sec
Dec: +22 43 18 deg min sec
Magnitude: 6.7
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 11/17/2011
Time Seen: 08:16 p.m. CST
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 7/10
My Notes
One of the old favorites, and it is pretty high in the SE. Good detail, and a bit of pinching can be seen. No moon in the sky. Faint patch of nebulosity about 1/10th fov about 2 1/2 field of views towards Stigitta from Albireo. Easy object, as noted.
Done: 85/100 AL#: 180
Name: Alpa UMi
Other Name: Polaris
Category: SuperGiant
Object Type: Star
Constellation: UMi
RA: 02 31 49 hr min sec
Dec: +89 15 51 deg min sec
Magnitude: 1.98
Type/Color/Age: F7 Ib
AL Provided Notes:
Yellow-White Supergiant
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:09 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
In even less than full darkness Polaris is visible in the 11x binoculars. No ihnt of the secondary at this magnification. One of the things that I'm trying to do is locate the stars on an actual R diagram as I transcribe my voice-to-text notes on my tablet over to a spreadsheet on my laptop. I can understand why Mirac isn't labeled on the R diagrams I can find on the Internet, but I'm surprised that I can't find Poalris labeled. I can see where the F stars are, but no Polaris label.
Done: 86/100 AL#: 181
Name: Beta Ori
Other Name: Rigel
Category: SuperGiant
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Ori
RA: 05 14 32 hr min sec
Dec: -08 12 06 deg min sec
Magnitude: 6.7
Type/Color/Age: B8 Ia
AL Provided Notes:
Blue Supergiant
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 03:09 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
So far tonigt most of the stars are bright and named, so I had no trouble bouncing back and forth to them with the 11x binoculars. Rigel was no exception. It was a glaring white color in the low east.
Done: 87/100 AL#: 182
Name: Zeta Ori
Other Name: Alnitak
Category: SuperGiant
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Ori
RA: 05 40 46 hr min sec
Dec: -01 56 34 deg min sec
Magnitude: 1.77
Type/Color/Age: O9.5 Iab
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 03:17 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
The easternmost star in Orion's belt was bright white.
Done: 88/100 AL#: 183
Name: Alpa Ori
Other Name: Betelgeuse
Category: SuperGiant
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Ori
RA: 05 55 10 hr min sec
Dec: +07 24 26 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0.5
Type/Color/Age: M1 Ia
AL Provided Notes:
Red Supergiant
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/3/2018
Time Seen: 03:12 a.m. CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 5/10
My Notes
Orion's left shoulder was a red-orange color with lots of twinkle.
Done: 89/100 AL#: 184
Name: VY CMa
Other Name: HD 58061
Category: SuperGiant
Object Type: Star
Constellation: CMa
RA: 07 22 58 hr min sec
Dec: -25 46 03 deg min sec
Magnitude: 6.5
Type/Color/Age: M5 Iae
AL Provided Notes:
Red Supergiant
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/11/2018
Time Seen: 05:15 a.m. CDT
Location: Danville WA
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 7/10
My Notes
Dim! It is in the same FOV as Wezen, although I did have to look for a while to find it. It was dim enough that I couldn't see any color. It is a variable, probably a carbon star and red.
Done: 90/100 AL#: 187
Name: Alpa Sco
Other Name: Antares
Category: SuperGiant
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Sco
RA: 16 29 24 hr min sec
Dec: -26 25 55 deg min sec
Magnitude: 1.1
Type/Color/Age: M1.5 Iab
AL Provided Notes:
Small amplitude variable
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:11 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
No questioning the red color if tis bright star. Naked eye and lots of twinkle. Easy to find on labeled R diagrams.
Done: 91/100 AL#: 188
Name: Alpha Her
Other Name: Rasalgethi
Category: SuperGiant
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Her
RA: 17 14 39 hr min sec
Dec: +14 23 25 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age: M5 Ib
AL Provided Notes:
Red Supergiant
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:19 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Very high in the sky and an easy hop over from Rasalhague that was just a bit brighter. A touch of reddish color. It's a double but too close to split with 11x binoculars.
Done: 92/100 AL#: 189
Name: Beta Dra
Other Name: Rastaban
Category: SuperGiant
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Dra
RA: 17 30 26 hr min sec
Dec: +52 18 05 deg min sec
Magnitude: 2.8
Type/Color/Age: G2 Ib
AL Provided Notes:
Yellow Supergiant
My Observations
Date Seen: 10/6/2026
Time Seen: 07:47 pm CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: 2x and 7x50
Magnification: 2x and 7x
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
As it was getting dark and with only a few stars out, I used the 2x binos to find Vega and then moved over to the area it was in. I spotted it and moved to the 7x for a better idea of the field
Done: 93/100 AL#: 190
Name: Mu Cep
Other Name: Herschel's Garnet Star
Category: SuperGiant
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Cep
RA: 21 43 30 hr min sec
Dec: +58 46 48 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age: M2 I
AL Provided Notes:
Red Supergiant
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 10:37 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Another friend from the Carbon Star and Binocular Variable Star Programs. It is easy to find in the middle of the bottom of the doghouse with a red color that makes it stand out. I've seen it called Arakis, as in the star in Dune.
Done: 94/100 AL#: 191
Name: Wezen
Other Name: Delta CMa
Category: SuperGiant
Object Type: Star
Constellation: CMa
RA: 07 08 23 hr min sec
Dec: -26 23 35 deg min sec
Magnitude: 1.8
Type/Color/Age: F8 Ia
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/11/2018
Time Seen: 05:11 a.m. CDT
Location: Danville WA
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 7/10
My Notes
I walked a 1/4 mile up the road so I could get a good view of Adara over the trees in the SW. I also looked at Wezen again. Adara was easily naked-eye and bright white, as fitting a B-class star.
Done: 95/100 AL#: 192
Name: VV Cep A
Other Name: HD 208816
Category: SuperGiant
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Cep
RA: 21 56 39 hr min sec
Dec: +63 37 32 deg min sec
Magnitude: 4.8
Type/Color/Age: M2 Iab
AL Provided Notes:
Red Supergiant
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 10:42 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek ParkDoghouse
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Almost dead center in the middle of the body of Cep's doghouse with the named star Alkura in the same field. Around mag 5 and pretty, slightly red in color. SkySafari says double, but I can't see the split.
Done: 96/100 AL#: 193
Name: RW Cep
Other Name: SAO 34387
Category: SuperGiant
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Cep
RA: 22 03 27 hr min sec
Dec: +55 57 48 deg min sec
Magnitude: 8.6
Type/Color/Age: K2 0
AL Provided Notes:
Orange Supergiant
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/12/2018
Time Seen: 12:39 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
Relatively easy to find near the bottom of Cep. Starting at Delta Cep, the bottom left corner of the doghouse, and getting Zeta and Epsilon Cep in the FOV reveals RW Cep on the south edge. It is a variable star around mag 7. No color that I can detect.
Done: 97/100 AL#: 201
Name: Veil Nebula
Other Name: NGC 6960
Category: Supernova Remnants
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Cyg
RA: 20 45 42 hr min sec
Dec: +30 43 00 deg min sec
Magnitude: 10.6
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
Very large
My Observations
Date Seen: 7/17/2026
Time Seen: 11:25 p.m. EDT
Location: Green Bank, WV
Binoculars: DIY 2x54 binoculars
Magnification: 2x
Seeing: 8/10
Transparency: 8/10
My Notes
The FOV of the 2x binos is 26 degrees. I could see from Deneb to Albireo, with the Veil, North American, and Pelican Nebulae all in view at the same time. The binos grab about 1.7 magnitudes more than my eyes and all three popped out of the field.
Done: 98/100 AL#: 202
Name: Veil Nebula
Other Name: NGC 6992/6995
Category: Supernova Remnants
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Cyg
RA: 20 56 18 hr min sec
Dec: +31 45 00 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age:
AL Provided Notes:
My Observations
Date Seen: 7/17/2026
Time Seen: 11:25 p.m. EDT
Location: Green Bank, WV
Binoculars: DIY 2x54 binoculars
Magnification: 2x
Seeing: 8/10
Transparency: 8/10
My Notes
The FOV of the 2x binos is 26 degrees. I could see from Deneb to Albireo, with the Veil, North American, and Pelican Nebulae all in view at the same time. The binos grab about 1.7 magnitudes more than my eyes and all three popped out of the field.
Done: 99/100 AL#: 207
Name: HD 139341
Other Name: SAO 64800
Category: Other Items from Original List
Object Type: Star
Constellation: Boo
RA: 15 36 03 hr min sec
Dec: +39 48 08 deg min sec
Magnitude: 0
Type/Color/Age: 6.5
AL Provided Notes:
A double star
My Observations
Date Seen: 8/11/2018
Time Seen: 9:25 PM CDT
Location: Broemmelsiek Park
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 6/10
My Notes
I started the starhop at Nekkar at the head of Bootes. This star is in the same field as nu1 and nu2 Boo. It is a double, almost split, with a possible orange color.
Done: 100/100 AL#: 208
Name: NGC 6530
Other Name: Col 362
Category: Other Items from Original List
Object Type: DSO
Constellation: Sgr
RA: 18 05 11 hr min sec
Dec: -24 20 54 deg min sec
Magnitude: 4.6
Type/Color/Age: 4.6
AL Provided Notes:
Embedded in M8 (Lagoon Neb)
My Observations
Date Seen: 9/24/2011
Time Seen: 10:32 PM MDT
Location: Arches Double O PL
Binoculars: Orion 11x80 binoculars
Magnification: 11x
Seeing: 8/10
Transparency: 9/10
My Notes
No moon in the sky. Naked eye, easy to make out with binoculars; both nebula and open cluster. Same field of view as M20 & M21. One of the objects I showed at Bryce Canyon with binoculars. Easy object as noted.
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