
44 BOOTES
- ploughc
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44 BOOTES was created by ploughc
the airport to pick up my sister, the plane was delayed by 1 hour
so by the time I got back I was too tired to change the scope on
the mount(maybe to lazy) so I just tried the 80mm with no luck of
course. Will have another crack at it tomorrow night. Hope you get
to split it tonight.
Pat.
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- flt158
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Replied by flt158 on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
I set up the refractor at 8.30 and observed Venus yet again. This time, the planet is 31,000,000 miles away, magnitude -4.3, and a huge 50" wide. What was particularly stunning was the 9.5% lit crescent. I observed it at 167X with a little shimmering in the Earth's atmosphere.
We had to wait a whole hour before Arcturus appeared, and it had its own familiar golden orange colour.
Finally at about 10.30pm, Izar, appeared, and we split at 167X.
So we kept the best till last. I starhopped from Beta Bootis (Nekkar), and came to 44 Bootis. I started at 40X, then went to 112X, and at 167X, 44 Bootis was beginning to separate, but not quite. So out came my 5mm Nagler which gives 225X, and with me kneeling on a garden pad, I split 44 Bootis. Component A is a little brighter than B alright, and its position is about 4 o'clock. It was very spectacular sight, and I would not have seen it only for you, Pat. Thank you so much for introducing this glorious little fellow to me, Pat. I had never observed it before. I couldn't make out any colours, by the way. I didn't mind.
Funny, just as I had finished observing 44 Bootis, I was planning to finish, clouds covered the whole sky. It was enough excitement for one evening.
Aubrey.
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- ploughc
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Replied by ploughc on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
I am jealous just hope that tonight clears up like last night.
I will swap the scopes over on the mount to be ready.
Will let you know how I get on, fingers crossed.
Pat.
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- mykc
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Replied by mykc on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
Took a tour through Bootes, Serpens and Ophiuchus and finished in Hercules, taking in a couple dozen doubles and globulars. Here are a few of the highlights. With the good seeing I was just able to split some difficult doubles, including Izar and 44 Boo, the latter is indeed a nice system. I then took at crack at λ Oph, which has a separation of just 1.44". Somewhat, to my surprise it was split at 257 X. (I checked the position angle to be sure that I wasn't kidding myself.) Anyone else have experience of this nice bright binary which has a definite hint of yellow in the secondary. One small puzzle - the secondary of STF2031 was much fainter than expected, must investigate further. For good measure, no less than three satellites whizzed through the fov during the session! M13 and the beautiful yellow/greenish double Rasalgethi were great targets to finish the night's observing.
Looks like there might be some more nice nights to come this week (fingers crossed).
Mike
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- flt158
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Replied by flt158 on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
I must have a shot at Lambda Ophuichi at some stage. My house is in the way at present. I did split him back in 2001. But I greatly admire Raselgethi -I have seen him many times. Thank you for your splendid report.
Aubrey.
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- ploughc
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Replied by ploughc on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
44 Bootis and I have to report no split. This was at 200x in
the 100mm Tal and for some reason I could not find my barlow so
I was dissapointed. I did split Izar and Porrima two of my favourite
doubles and Raselgethi is a beauty nice colour contrast.
I think the good weather is to last a few more days so we should
get a few more clear nights, to try and split 44 Bootes.
Pat.
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- flt158
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Replied by flt158 on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
I won't be observing tonight -as Valerie and I are eating Japanese for my birthday. Speaking of each, Valerie bought me a new 28mm 2" eyepiece made by Skywatcher Nirvana.
And I hope to be using it for the 1st time and observing once again on Saturday night.
Aubrey.
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- ploughc
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Replied by ploughc on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
hope you get a chance to use it soon. I have a bigger scope a 150mm
Newtonian but no mount for it at the moment, my G11 is set up for
the refractors at the present maybe sometime I will get a Dob. mount
for it. I did go out for awhile tonight but it was pretty windy the
seeing not so good so after 50 minutes I give up, I did get a quick
look at Izar split but a bit soft and the Double Double just split at
120x again a bit soft.
Anyway enjoy your birthday.
Pat.
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- mykc
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Replied by mykc on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
First, Happy Birthday Aubrey, I hope you enjoyed the occasion.
In anticipation of the good conditions persisting tonight "The Night Sky Observer's Guide" provided two more challenging binaries:
ID RA Dec Const Mag Mag 2 Sep Notes
STF2289 18:10:09 +16°28'35" Her 6.7 7.2 1.2 Deep yellow/pale yellow
ζ Her 16:41:17 +31°36'07" Her 3.0 5.4 1.3 Very close yellow/greenish binary
I'll be up at Sugarloaf tonight and will have a look - I suspect they are close to the limit of what my 200mm and the seeing will allow.
Cheers,
Mike
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- dave_lillis
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Replied by dave_lillis on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
btw, happy birthday again Aubrey, I didnt get a real chance to talk to you at cosmos about the doubles that interest you, have you made a list of ones you like the most ?
Chairman. Shannonside Astronomy Club (Limerick)
Carrying around my 20" obsession is going to kill me,
but what a way to go.

+ 12"LX200, MK67, Meade2045, 4"refractor
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- flt158
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Replied by flt158 on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
Thank you all for your best wishes for my birthday.
Aubrey.
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- flt158
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Replied by flt158 on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
1. Mesarthim double is Aries.
2. Castor triple in Gemini.
3. Mizar double in Ursa Major.
4. Dubhe double in Ursa Major.
5. Rigel double in Orion.
6. Alnitak triple in Orion.
7. 52 Orionis, my tightest double in Orion. (1.2")
8. 24 Coma Berenicis, double, yellow and blue.
9. Algieba, yellow double in Leo.
10. Polaris, double in Ursa Minor.
11. Albireo, double in Cygnus, orange and blue.
12. Alrischa, double in Pisces.
13. Meissa, double in Orion.
14. Sigma Orionis, quadruple in Orion, and Struve 761, triple beside it.
15. Iota Cancri, double.
16. 66 Cancri, double.
17. 57 Cancri, triple, deep yellow double.
18. Epsilon Lyrae, double-double.
19. Theta Auriga, triple.
20. Porrima, double in Virgo, both yellow.
21. Izar, double in Bootis.
22. 44 Bootis, double.
Of course, Dave, there are others I have observed in recent times. Generally, I often observed these systems if the Moon or a planet are in the constellation, eg, I hope to see triple star Theta Virginis, simply because Saturn is nearby.
Aubrey.
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- ploughc
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Replied by ploughc on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
out will push your scope to the limit. According to SISSY HAAS
STF 2084 is right on the limit for a 200mm scope. Be interesting
to see how you get on, good luck.
Aubrey lovely list of doubles Alnitak is a beauty I have managed to
split it this past winter, I have tries 52 Orionis with no luck so
far.
Pat.
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- flt158
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Replied by flt158 on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
I am about to go out now to look at the Moon.
Aubrey.
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- dave_lillis
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Replied by dave_lillis on topic Re: 44 BOOTES
Thanks for that list Aubrey, it'll come im handy
Chairman. Shannonside Astronomy Club (Limerick)
Carrying around my 20" obsession is going to kill me,
but what a way to go.

+ 12"LX200, MK67, Meade2045, 4"refractor
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