Double Stars
by Chris Vedeler

54 Leo STF1487 
Magnitude 4.48/6.30 
6.6" separation.  This was an easy split.

Taken 5/10/2007
Astro-Physics 160 EDF with 2x barlow (pushed to approximately 2.5x)
with a Philips SPC900NC webcam.  Best of 30 frames.  Effective focal length 3000mm, 0.4 arc seconds per pixel.

STT 215 
Magnitude 7.25/7.46 
1.5" separation.  This shot took very careful focus.  To be able to actually image a 1.5" separation is remarkable.

Taken 5/10/2007
Astro-Physics 160 EDF with 2x barlow (pushed to approximately 2.5x)
with a Philips SPC900NC webcam.  Best of 30 frames.  Effective focal length 3000mm, 0.4 arc seconds per pixel.

 
Antares
Magnitude 1.09/5.50 
2.9" separation.  Due to Antares A being 370 times brighter than Antares B this can be a very challenging split because of the glare of Antares requiring a very steady and clear atmosphere .  Antares A is a red supergiant larger in diameter than the orbit of Mars and B is a hot blue star. 

Taken 5/19/2007 on the summit of Mt. Lemmon (9100 feet) just North of Tucson, AZ.
Astro-Physics 160 EDF with 2x barlow
with a Philips SPC900NC webcam.  Best of 50 frames.  Effective focal length 2400mm, 0.6 arc seconds per pixel.

Albireo
Magnitude 3.1/5.1 
34" separation. 
Albireo is a beautiful double system with highly contrasting stars with Beta Cygni A a distinctly yellow star and Beta Cygni B a distinctly blue star.  At 34" separation this is an easy split even in binoculars.

Taken 5/19/2007 on the summit of Mt. Lemmon (9100 feet) just North of Tucson, AZ.
Astro-Physics 160 EDF with 2x barlow
with a Philips SPC900NC webcam.  Best of 50 frames.  Effective focal length 2400mm, 0.6 arc seconds per pixel.

Rigel
Magnitude 0.3/6.7 
9.5" separation.  Often used as a test for the seeing the pair of Rigel can be challenging in a small telescope.  

Taken 2/27/2008 in my yard in Scottsdale, AZ.

Astro-Physics 160 EDF
with a Philips SPC900NC webcam.  Best of 50 frames.  Focal length 1200mm, 1.2 arc seconds per pixel.

Trapezium

Taken 2/27/2008 in my yard in Scottsdale, AZ.

Astro-Physics 160 EDF
with a Philips SPC900NC webcam.  Best of 50 frames.  Focal length 1200mm, 1.2 arc seconds per pixel.

If you look closely at the image the E and F stars are visible.

Epsilon Lyrae (Double double)
Magnitude 4.7/6.2 and 5.1/5.5 
2.3" and 2.6" separation with the pairs split by 208" or 3.5 arc minutes.  Those with very keen vision can split the Epsilon Lyrae into two with the naked eye.  

Taken 5/19/2007 on the summit of Mt. Lemmon (9100 feet) just North of Tucson, AZ.
Astro-Physics 160 EDF with 2x barlow
with a Philips SPC900NC webcam.  Best of 50 frames.  Effective focal length 2400mm, 0.6 arc seconds per pixel.

 

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