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Pages: 1 Rev_Aaron member Reged: 11/24/08 Loc: Fort Myers, FL, USA Doubles Project       #2778138 - 11/30/08 12:59 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   While primarily a deep sky observer, I recently started observing double stars as a way to use those moonlit nights or those when I don't have time to travel to my dark sky site. I have been working on observing all the multiple stars on the Astronomical League's Double Star Club list. Now that I'm more than 50% done with this list, I've been looking for my next doubles observing project. I see a TON of links on this forum, but could someone recommend a good next list for me? I thought of perhaps observing all the double stars listed in Burnham's or the Night Sky Observer's Guide, but are there any good alternatives? Thanks in advance. Post Extras:       Avatar sage Reged: 05/27/06 Re: Doubles Project [Re: Rev_Aaron]       #2778456 - 11/30/08 03:39 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   My doubles viewing began the same way, with the Astronomy League 100. These will probably always remain more or less the one hundred best. Later I got a copy of the Dibon Smith book and that probably put the number of doable doubles (for my scopes) to about 250. I then cross referenced all doubles listed in Norton and Cambridge atlases. Also, went through all 200 of "the 200 most beautiful doubles, (although I don't always agree with the star rating system used). Occasionally I look through Eagle Creek, and of course, Burnham's three volumes (my favorite publication) to pick up a few doable pairs now and then. Probably this totals for me only about ~>400 doubles/multiples because there are so many overlaps among the publications/lists I've used. Still, after the greek lettered asterism stars (which usually prove the best) and the Flamsteed numbered stars (next best), one gets overwhelmed by the endless number of Struve doubles, mostly mag 6-9, more likely 7-8, usually rather even mags, and close to fairly close separations. Then the Otto Struves,,, followed by all the other designations. It gets a bit redundant after a while, especially the colder it gets outside! Honestly, I think I need a bit more aperture and a whole lot more inspiration. Edited by Avatar (11/30/08 03:42 PM) Post Extras:       Rev_Aaron member Reged: 11/24/08 Loc: Fort Myers, FL, USA Re: Doubles Project [Re: Avatar]       #2778471 - 11/30/08 03:47 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks! I'm going to buy that book (Starlist 2000), and check out that list of "200 Most Beautiful Doubles." Exactly what I was looking for. I don't know why there aren't more formal observing programs for doubles like there are for DSO's. Your help was greatly apporeciated. Post Extras:       RLTYS Post Laureate Reged: 12/18/04 Loc: New York (Long Island) Re: Doubles Project [Re: Rev_Aaron]       #2779641 - 12/01/08 06:24 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Aaron Welcome to the Cloudy Nights Double Star forum. You might also consider Sissy Haas's book "double stars for small telescopes". An excellent listing of doubles (by constellation) and their descriptions. Also check the links listed on top of this forum. Clear Skies and good luck. Rich (RLTYS) Post Extras:       Rev_Aaron member Reged: 11/24/08 Loc: Fort Myers, FL, USA Re: Doubles Project [Re: RLTYS]       #2779658 - 12/01/08 06:57 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks! Post Extras:       Cotts Just Wondering Reged: 10/10/05 Loc: Toronto, Ontario Re: Doubles Project [Re: Rev_Aaron]       #2779687 - 12/01/08 07:43 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Aaron, I am on a long quest to observe all of the Struve doubles. (The STF doubles in the WDS-- there are 3300 of them!). I have about 360 done so far in 2 years so I'll be at it for quite a while yet! I got the list from the WDS website by requesting an observing list (they will customise observing lists for you based on any criteria you chose such as declination, R.A., separation, # of times observed etc. -- it is a fabulous resource and free!!!) I see you have an 8-inch scope. Why not try to view all the Burnham pairs? (BU in the WDS catalog). They are quite challenging. He found them all with a 6-inch refractor in the 19th century.... Clear skies. d.c. Post Extras:       Rev_Aaron member Reged: 11/24/08 Loc: Fort Myers, FL, USA Re: Doubles Project [Re: Cotts]       #2779713 - 12/01/08 08:04 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Sounds like a good idea! Lists are what motivate me. I'll have to do that. Post Extras:       exile sage Reged: 01/15/08 Loc: Guangzhou, China Re: Doubles Project [Re: Rev_Aaron]       #2782118 - 12/02/08 12:08 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Try downloading Taki's Double Star Atlas - 2500 doubles almost all within reach of your scope, doubles spreadsheet, and a compact field atlas to find them. Highly recommended! Post Extras:       Rev_Aaron member Reged: 11/24/08 Loc: Fort Myers, FL, USA Re: Doubles Project [Re: exile]       #2782222 - 12/02/08 01:12 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Wow! A truly impressive resource there. I think I've got my work cut out for me Thank you! Post Extras:       Bill Weir Carpal Tunnel Reged: 06/01/04 Loc: Metchosin (Victoria), Canada Re: Doubles Project [Re: Rev_Aaron]       #2783084 - 12/02/08 09:40 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   There is also here. http://astronomy.eaglecreekobservatory.org/doubles/ There are enough on that site to keep you busy for a night or two. Bill Post Extras:       rmollise Postmaster Reged: 07/06/07 Re: Doubles Project [Re: Rev_Aaron]       #2783767 - 12/03/08 10:21 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: While primarily a deep sky observer, I recently started observing double stars as a way to use those moonlit nights or those when I don't have time to travel to my dark sky site. I have been working on observing all the multiple stars on the Astronomical League's Double Star Club list. Now that I'm more than 50% done with this list, I've been looking for my next doubles observing project. I see a TON of links on this forum, but could someone recommend a good next list for me? I thought of perhaps observing all the double stars listed in Burnham's or the Night Sky Observer's Guide, but are there any good alternatives? Thanks in advance. Depends on which way you want to go. Do you want to look or do you want to work? If you want to work, start measuring doubles, you'll find a lot of inspiration in our (University of South Alabama Physics Department) little pub, _The Journal of Double Star Observations_. You'll find all our issues at http://jdso.org/ (free). I addition to promoting serious work with doubles, we also foster pro-am cooperation and, yes, print material from people just interested in having fun with double stars, though most of our contributors, including amateurs, are pretty serious about "their" stars. I also run a Yahoogroup, Binary Stars Uncensored that, in addition to providing online support/discussion of the JDSO is open to any aspect of the double star game: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/binary-stars-uncensored/ Post Extras:       Rev_Aaron member Reged: 11/24/08 Loc: Fort Myers, FL, USA Re: Doubles Project [Re: rmollise]       #2783786 - 12/03/08 10:35 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Oh, just looking for now. But you never know... Thanks for the links. Post Extras:       Pages: 1

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