Night-sky targets for October 10-17, 2008
The constellation Equuleus, double star Albireo, and Polarissima Borealis are visible in the night sky this week.
By
Michael E. Bakich —
Published:
October 9, 2008 Albireo (Beta Cygni) is a 3rd-magnitude double star in the constellation Cygnus. Albireo A, a golden-yellow star, is itself a double star, but its companion is too close to be observed. Albireo B is a fainter blue star (Takahashi TOA-130 refractor and Sbig STL-11000 CCD camera; 60-minute exposure with RGB filters).
Photo by Philippe Barraud
In each episode, Michael highlights:
- One object you can see without any optical aid
- One object you can see with a small (4-inch) telescope
- One object you can see with at least an 8-inch telescope
Targets for October 10-17, 2008
Naked eye: Constellation Equuleus
Small telescope: Double star Albireo
8-inch or larger telescope: Polarissima Borealis |
Previous episodes:
October 3-10, 2008: Andromeda Galaxy (M31), the double star Gamma Andromedae, and the Deer Lick Group
September 26-October 3, 2008: Square of Pegasus, Globular cluster M15, Stephan's Quintet
September 19-26, 2008: Venus, the Dumbbell Nebula, and NGC 7006
September 12-18, 2008: Delphinus, the Double Double, and the Blue Snowball
September 5-11, 2008: Scutum star cloud, Wild Duck Cluster (M11), and Barnard's Galaxy (NGC 6822) |