U Sagittae, an eclipsing binary star, poses well for binocular study. In 3.3 days, U changes from magnitude 6.6 to 9.2 and back again.
WZ Sagittae is one of a rare breed of stars known as recurrent novae. Usually shining dimly, recurrent novae can suddenly flare up as many as 10 magnitudes in a matter of hours. WZ flared in 1913, 1946, 1978, and most recently, 2001. Each time, it took the star less than a day to rise from 16th magnitude to 7th magnitude, where it stayed for between 40 and 60 days before returning to 16th magnitude.
Barnard 142 and Barnard 143 form a fairly conspicuous dark patch to the south of Sagitta, across the border with Aquila, about 2° northwest of Altair. Although it’s been nicknamed “Barnard’s E” for its resemblance to the alphabet’s fifth letter, I see it more like a C, with two “horns” extending to the west.
