An Anthology of Visual Double Stars

Modern telescopes of even modest aperture can show thousands of double stars. Many are faint and unremarkable but hundreds are worth searching out. Veteran double-star observer Bob Argyle and his co-authors take a close-up look at their selection of 175 of the night sky's most interesting double and multiple stars. The history of each system is laid out from the original discovery to what we know at the present time about the stars. Wide-field finder charts are presented for each system along with plots of the apparent orbits and predicted future positions for the orbital systems. Recent measurements of each system are included which will help you to decide whether they can be seen in your telescope, as well as giving advice on the aperture needed. Double star observers of all levels of experience will treasure the level of detail in this guide to these jewels of the night sky.

'This anthology was prepared by three expert amateur astronomers ... The book catalogs 175 double stars suitable for viewing with amateur equipment. For each pair it provides observed, calculated, and inferred properties, catalog number, historical records, modern measurements, observing advice, and more. The introductory chapters include one devoted to biographical profiles of historical and contemporary observers. This work belongs in the library of every high school or college with an astronomy club, or that offers astronomy classes with lab sections. It is a worthy, simpler supplement to lead author Argyle's Observing and Measuring Visual Double Stars.' S. P. Maran, Choice

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