43 replies to this topic

[Kim2010]

After finding it relatively easy on the 8SE a couple of months ago, I made it a goal to see it in the 4" APO. It took a few weeks LOL, but finally! I saw it sure and pure tonight Now, why don't we try using the 4SE and see it again?

[Kim2010]

100ED, 5mm Nagler x180.

[Stellar1]

Nice! I'll have to give that one a go!

[Spikey131]

It is all about steady skies.

 

Toronto presents a challenge, because Sirius is so low in your sky.

[Stellar1]

It is all about steady skies.

 

Toronto presents a challenge, because Sirius is so low in your sky.

Yes, I realize, funny I don’t recall achieving this before, I should start keeping notes. Being a huge double star observer I am aware of the challenges, unfortunately the skies around me present little night of good seeing, crucial for doubles. 

Edited by Stellar1, 11 February 2023 - 01:42 PM.

[flt158]

One ought to keep a diary, dear friends, for all observations. 

It's what I do. 

 

Clear skies from Aubrey. 

[skysurfer]

Never succeeded for me. I tried observing Sirius from southern locations (too low in the sky in Europe) when it was high (> 70 deg) in the sky, but to no avail.

The upcoming weeks I'll try again as I go to South Africa next week and take my 110 ED scope again.

The following years are the most favorable in 50 years as the Pup is in aphelion from Sirius A in 2025, both stars are 12" apart.

[Kim2010]

Never succeeded for me. I tried observing Sirius from southern locations (too low in the sky in Europe) when it was high (> 70 deg) in the sky, but to no avail.

The upcoming weeks I'll try again as I go to South Africa next week and take my 110 ED scope again.

The following years are the most favorable in 50 years as the Pup is in aphelion from Sirius A in 2025, both stars are 12" apart.

I am at around 14.5 deg N. Sirius was around 50 or so deg when I finally got it with the 4" ED. Seeing was so that the Airy disc was clean with a few faint diffraction rings that were moving, but always almost visible. 

 

Good luck and I am sure you'd get it as well, seeing allowing of course

[Kim2010]

The amazing thing that makes it nice to see is that while Sirius is all sparkly and all, the Pup is just there being a steady dot beside the sparkly primary. Moving Sirius across the FOV and having that small dot follow it made me realize what I was seeing was not an artifact but the Pup itself already. 

 

It was 100000x easier on the 8SE though!

[Spikey131]

Aperture rules with double stars.  I am amazed how wide split of Sirius appears in my 16” dob at 290x!

[Kim2010]

Aperture rules with double stars.  I am amazed how wide split of Sirius appears in my 16” dob at 290x!

Of course, but this was about the challenge of splitting it with a small 4" apo. It was easy on the 8SE as I said.

[Adam Long]

Just seen the Pup for the first time in my 14” dob. 52.8^o N, and Sirius at only 11^o of elevation. 
 

Seeing is good with southerly airflow off the sea but not exceptional. Very pleased, previous attempts had not been promising.

[blakesphere]

Congrats. Still keen to try in my ETX 90.

[ABQJeff]

Great job seeing it in a 4” apo!  That sets a bar to strive for.  I just saw it tonght for first time using my new C11 Edge at 300x (…and that with an amici diagonal.  Fortunately the Pup wasn’t on the line!)

Edited by ABQJeff, 17 February 2023 - 02:00 AM.

[Chen Sir]

Since the last viewing by C11HD at the beginning of the 2022, I haven't seen the Sirius B from the winter 2022 to now, during the time when the longest distance between the A and B.

I tried to use my TV NP101 to resolve the binaries, with Ethos 3.7mm, but faied.

Has anyone used the pup with NP101?

[Alan K]

Congratulations. Tried again tonight, 20 years onward, still no success.

[jrazz]

Ever since I saw this post I had my heart set on seeing the pup with my 100mm...  Yesterday the seeing finally relented and I had a brief window of excellent transparency and calm. Super super cold (-15°f) so I didn't spend a long time outside. Simply bundled with tons of layers, pointed at that bright star and I did see it finally!! At 160x So cool!

 

Thanks for the inspiration! 

[J Magsaysay]

Finally saw it too last year.  AP 92 mm Stowaway, 4.5 mm Morpheus ep, 136X, good seeing, and 4 witnesses.

[suburbanastro]

I finally saw it at 207x through my 15-inch Dob this week. Good seeing is essential but letting the scope cool outside for 4 hours AND running the fan until the last of the heat plumes were gone is what made the difference. 

[Nucleophile]

I finally saw it at 207x through my 15-inch Dob this week. Good seeing is essential but letting the scope cool outside for 4 hours AND running the fan until the last of the heat plumes were gone is what made the difference. 

Yes.  I do the same when I have my 15 inch set up--makes a huge difference.  Mine is a truss tube design, so I would often lift up the shroud as well to really get the air flowing past the mirror. 

 

I don't lift up the shroud any more since my cat discovered it is fun to walk around inside the mirror box on my OMI mirror! 

[suburbanastro]

Yes.  I do the same when I have my 15 inch set up--makes a huge difference.  Mine is a truss tube design, so I would often lift up the shroud as well to really get the air flowing past the mirror. 

 

I don't lift up the shroud any more since my cat discovered it is fun to walk around inside the mirror box on my OMI mirror! 

LOL! I only lift the shroud an inch and make sure to keep my cat out of the garage.

[Kitfox]

I have an NP101, but it’s not my double star 4 incher. I’ll have to try it. The pup is fairly easy in my Vixen FL102 when seeing is good, frustrating when it’s not. I’ll load my AZ8 down with both of them and try if the stars ever come out again.  
 

 

Since the last viewing by C11HD at the beginning of the 2022, I haven't seen the Sirius B from the winter 2022 to now, during the time when the longest distance between the A and B.

I tried to use my TV NP101 to resolve the binaries, with Ethos 3.7mm, but faied.

Has anyone used the pup with NP101?

[Chen Sir]

I have an NP101, but it’s not my double star 4 incher. I’ll have to try it. The pup is fairly easy in my Vixen FL102 when seeing is good, frustrating when it’s not. I’ll load my AZ8 down with both of them and try if the stars ever come out again.  
 

Looking forward to your good news.

[RAKing]

The trick that I have taught people looking for the Pup is to try it at Twilight.  If you go out at night, the contrast is too much and that makes it much harder to find the Pup in the glare. 

 

Set your scope on Sirius as the sun is setting then wait until the sky is just dark enough to see some mag. 9 field stars near Sirius.  Then you can swing close to Sirius and catch the Pup before the skies darken and the glare burns your eye. 

 

For me, Sirius will be in the proper spot in mid-March, and I will take out my trusty refractor for another look.

 

Cheers,

 

Ron

[mac57]

After 10 years, I finally got a very  brief glimpse of the companion and perhaps for less than two seconds.  This time of year I always take a look at Sirius as a rule and usually spend 2 minutes or so at the most.  I figure that it's a once in a lifetime moment for me.  I thank all of you for your input and congratds   Mark