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Observation by Nick Hewitt: A slow binary in Gemini

Uploaded by

Nick Hewitt

Observer

Nick Hewitt

Observed

2019 Feb 21 - 18:50

Uploaded

2019 Feb 22 - 17:36

Objects

E-Gem

Planetarium overlay









Constellation

Gemini

Field centre

RA: 06h54m
Dec: +13°10'
Position angle: -16°06'

Field size

0°19' × 0°15'

Equipment
  • TMB 115mm f7 triplet
  • EQ8
  • Canon 60Da
Exposure

5 x 2 sec ISO 800

Location

Northampton

Target name

38 Geminorum

Title

A slow binary in Gemini

About this image

This slow binary has a 1898 year orbit but its motion can be detected by careful measure if your life is long enough! It has opened slightly from 6.7" in 1940 to 7.3" now, and its PA has changed from 154 degrees to about 142 in the same 80 years. Its components magnitudes are 4.7 and 7.7 so its could eb a vey good practice binary for embryonic binary enthusiasts.

North is up, west to the right. Larger apertures should split the stars very cleanly. My 115mm is too small and the focal length too short to do it justice. 

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