Nick's Astronomy Observing Log

Haven't had a post in quite some time, so thought I'd get last night's observing up here before I forgot.

I started on the AstroLeague Urban Club list last night. Specifically the double stars list. I thought that this would be a good way to learn my way around the skies, and see some cool stuff, too. Seeing was pretty poor last night as it was fairly windy. Can't say I minded it too much though as it was still 100 outside at 9pm. Ugh. The skies were completely clear, although the moonshine from the big bright full moon drowned out quite a bit of stars.

I started with Gamma Leo, since it was the lowest in the sky and therefore, the hardest to split given the atmospheric conditions. I started at 60x on my 8" dob and could see an elongation of the star, alluding to the double. Stepping up to 133x just split the pair. There was no color apparent, but I could make out that the B star was just to the SE of the A star.

Next was Zeta Ursa Major or Mizar and Alcor. Now, I knew about the naked eye double of Mizar/Alcor, but didn't realize that Mizar itself was a double. I had only looked with my binoculars before, but when I centered the scope at 133x, the pair was easily split. Both appeared white with maybe a little blue tint, but seeing was crummy, so this could be false.

Next was the Double-Double of Epsilon Lyra. I had split this one before, but wanted to observe it again and log it for the Urban list. First split was easy, visible in just the finderscope. Splitting the double-double was difficult though with the wind the way it was. I tried barlowing my 9mm putting me at 266x, but it was extremely fuzzy. I then accidentally grabbed my 3.5mm thinking it was my 10mm, and put it in without the barlow giving 342x and could see the split! There was a pair with a EW orientation, and the other had a NS orientation. Very nice.

I then moved to Alberio, or Beta Cygnus. This was a very easy split, but one of the more beautiful doubles I've seen yet. The A star had a very nice yellow color and the B was smaller and a pretty blue. I actually returned to this one just before heading in for bed because I liked it so much.

I then tried to find Gamma Delphinus, but couldn't see the constellation from all the moonlight. I did end up finding a double in the area I thought it should be. And it did match the sketch in my copy of Turn Left at Orion, but without being sure of where I was, I didn't log it for my list.

Nice night of observing. Looking forward to getting further down the urban list.