Polaris: Seeing the Companion With a Very Small Telescope, Maybe Even As Small As 30mm’s?

Posted April 15, 2018 by rogerivester
Categories: Polaris and Companion With the Smallest of Telescopes

     Polaris has never gained much attention as a double star.  However, If you’ve had an interest in double stars, but never seemed to get started, Polaris would be a great double to start with, especially with a smaller telescope.    

     For this project, lets call a small telescope, anything 80mm’s or less. 

     Information from the “Cambridge Double Star Atlas” by James Mullaney and Wil Tirion, as a reference:  

     Polaris has a magnitude of 2.1 and the secondary or companion at a much fainter 9.0 magnitude with a wide separation of 19 arc seconds.  The extreme difference in magnitudes can make this double more difficult to separate than you might think, especially if seeing is less than good. 

     Sometimes I check this star frequently, when setting up, to gauge seeing.  I  have some notes and sketches from years past, and current using some small telescopes.   

     September 1996:  4-inch Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain f/10, model 2045d: Seeing very good, could easily see the companion at 50x.  RI

     September 1996:  5-inch C5 Schmidt-Cassegrain, white-tube with the single arm fork. Made in USA.  Easy, beautiful and clean.  RI

     February 1997:  4-inch Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain f/10, model 2045d: Seeing only fair.  The companion was visible only intermittently.  RI 

     October 1997:  90mm Meade ETX Astro-Scope, Maksutov-Cassegrain: Seeing was good and the companion was very easy at 52x.  RI 

     December 1998:  102mm Vixen/Orion f/9.8 achromatic refractor: Very easy to see the companion at all magnifications.  Roger Ivester 

     I was unsuccessful during the week of April 8th 2018, using my latest small economy Orion CT80 f/5 refractor.  Seeing was only fair, so I’ll try it again in the next night or so.   Roger Ivester 

     April 17th 2018:  102mm Vixen/Orion f/9.8 achromatic refractor:  Seeing was very poor, could still see the companion, but only intermittently, using full 102mm aperture.  Did not even attempt with an effective aperture of 60mm’s.  Roger Ivester

     Mike McCabe of Massachusetts was able to see the companion last summer on a night of excellent seeing, using a vintage and classic Sears 60mm f/15 refractor.   

     Observing notes by Mike McCabe as following, for the night of April 18th 2018:  It’s been great getting to know Mike, who is an experienced and skilled observer. 

Notes from Mike McCabe:  

     Well, you really got my interest with your lobbying everyone to try and go see the secondary to Polaris with a small scope.  I got lucky here last night – totally unexpected it was – with a clear and stable sky sometime around 9pm local time. 

     At first I turned my interest to the 10% waxing crescent moon, and I brought out my SV80ED to have a quick look.  It was spectacular, with incredible earthshine on the moon and a dark, clear sky around it.  There were nearly as many stars in the view as you’d see during an eclipse!  I watched the moon occult a star (don’t know which one) and then toured the Haydes, the Pleiades and then Polaris.  The 80mm brought out the secondary with no trouble.

     I decided to bring out the Sears 60mm f/15.  That was a good decision!  I put Polaris in the eyepiece and ramped the power up to 112x.  In short order I had the secondary in view at an ~5:00 position in the field of view.     

     I have another 60mm f/15 OTA (a 1980’s era Celestron FirstScope) which I am currently setting up.  I’m wanting to complete the Astronomical League’s Double Star list to receive my certificate which I started working on quite a few years ago, but have never finished.     Mike McCabe – Massachusetts 

Luna Brannon, North Carolina:

March 2022:  Using a 100mm f/5 achromat with an ES 11mm 82º eyepiece with the employ of a 2.5x Barlow (magnification 113x), I was able to view Polaris and its companion. Applying the 50mm sub-aperture mask allowed me to watch it continuously as the image dimmed, so that I would not lose the companion star. Having committed the star’s position to memory, I was then able to see it again without transitioning directly from the 4-inch aperture. The companion star is easily split in terms of spatial resolution, it’s really just the dimness that’s the problem. From a dark site I imagine it’d be easy to get down to 40mm or less and still see the companion.   

Roger Ivester, April 19th 2018:  

102mm Orion/Vixen f/9.8 achromatic refractor with an effective aperture of 60mm’s.  Seeing excellent: 12.5mm eyepiece plus a 2.8x Barlow for a magnification of 224x.  The companion was visible as a tiny bluish dot.  

Roger Ivester, April 19th 2018:  Orion 80 mm (CT80) f/5 achromatic refractor. 

Seeing excellent: 12.5mm eyepiece plus 2.8x University Optics Klee Barlow for a magnification of 90x.  The companion was visible as a tiny bluish dot.  Very similar to the view using the 102mm reduced to 60mm’s.  A beautiful sight in both telescopes.     

 April 20th 2018:  Orion 80mm (CT80) f/5 achromatic refractor.  Similar conditions to my observation on the 19th. Using the same eyepiece combinations (90x) and was able to easily see the companion as a tiny bluish dot.  

“Celestial Objects For Common Telescopes” By Rev. T.W. Webb – 1859 

“Spec. Bin., and slightly var. D., 9 blsh. as I see it.  Common test, but only suited for small apertures, being easy with anything much exceeding 2 in.  D. has proposed it as a general standard, finding that 80 on 2-in. will show it if the eye and telescope are good; he has glimpsed it with 1 3/10-in. achr.  Dawson has glimpsed it with 1-inch.  T. T. Smith sees it with 1 1/4-in. refl.  In Dorpat achr. it has been perceived by day.  De. gives it 8.4 m.”

1 3/10-inch = 33 mm’s 

1 1/4-inch = 32 mm’s 

1-inch = 25.4 mm’s  

     The following is a photo of my 102mm refractor with a stop-down mask for an effective aperture of 60mm’s.   

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      Orion (CT80) 80mm f/5 refractor, photo following: I could see the companion to Polaris with this small short focal length achromatic refractor!   And when stopped-down to 60mm’s. 

      My son surprised me with this telescope for my birthday, and it will always be a prized possession of mine.  He lives on the west coast, so it was a real surprise for a UPS truck to show up, and not knowing what the delivery was.  🙂 

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102mm f/10 refractor, stopped down to 35mm f/29 refractor telescope:  (See the following photo) 
 
 Unfortunately, I’ve never been able to see the companion with the 35mm effective aperture, to-date.  (Date: March 20th 2024)  
 

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      May 2, 2018:  This was the third night in my attempt to see the companion using an effective 35 mm aperture.  Seeing was only fair, and could not see the companion, nor with a larger 45mm effective aperture.

April 2nd 2018:  Report by Richard Nugent as following: 

      Roger, thanks for inspiring me to observe Polaris and it’s faint companion star, Polaris B.  As I mentioned I’ve observed the pair more these past few weeks than in total over the last five decades! I’m glad I did.  Here’s my report to date…    

     Polaris B is about 19” away from Polaris so separation is not the issue. Seeing the B star only requires an aperture with a faint enough limiting magnitude. Of course, on any given night, a telescope’s limiting magnitude is dependent on many factors that are difficult to quantify. Limiting magnitude tables seem, to me, to be overly optimistic!  

…..I was finally able to see the companion with a 10-inch Newtonian with a 40 mm effective aperture.  Richard Nugent

May 6th 2018:  The following report by Roger Ivester

     Last night, seeing was excellent, and a 6-inch f/6 reflector, with an off-axis 45 mm effective aperture, could glimpse the companion, but with extreme difficulty.  This required over more than an hour, using good breathing techniques, as it’s easy to “involuntarily” hold your breath when attempting a close or faint companion, such as Polaris B.  I also used an eyepatch over my non-observing eye, to relax my face.  

     It’s my opinion, it’s “next to impossible” to observe a difficult double, or any deep-sky object while standing.  I always use my astro-chair while observing, and making a pencil sketch.  Roger Ivester  

     Richard Nugent would seem to have the have the modern day record, or at least the only amateur I know personally, who has seen the companion to Polaris with a 40 mm effective aperture.  This was using a 10-inch Newtonian with a 40mm off-axis stop-down mask.   

Roger Ivester, March 21st 2024 @ 5:30 AM EDT, with an effective aperture of 45 mm’s.

I could see the companion, with an effective aperture of 45 mm’s using a magnification of 233x.  However, it was very difficult, and could only see during moments of steady viewing. 

Photo of my 45 mm effective aperture…as following.

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Edmund Scientific Of Days Past: The Company That Inspired So Many To Become Amateur Astronomers

Posted February 21, 2018 by rogerivester
Categories: Roger's Articles

Edmund Scientific was the company that really fueled my interest in amateur astronomy.  From their telescopes and accessories to their many beginners books.  My first telescope was an Edmund 4.25-inch f/10 reflector, with an equatorial mount.  Not my first choice, but the best my budget would allow at that time.  Prior to this, I used my older brother’s 60 mm f/15 EQ refractor.  (Photo at the bottom, in an old rented house on a textile mill village, with a street light in the backyard!)

I was just getting started with my first real job, but most all of my money was required for the essentials of life, with little left for a telescope and astronomy equipment. 

My first telescope was an Edmund 4.25-inch Newtonian, which allowed me to see many of the Messier objects. I was living in a highly light polluted area at that time, so finding deep-sky objects with setting circles was like magic. Star-hoping to locate faint objects can be almost impossible with severe light pollution. 

Not only did Edmund Scientific have telescopes and astronomy equipment, but also plenty of resources to learn how to use a telescope. The following books from Edmund taught me so much about amateur astronomy, and I still reference them even to this day…more than 50 years later.

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During those early years it was my goal to see the entire Messier catalog, which I would eventually accomplish, and received my Astronomical League award certificate. but would eventually see over 2,000 more deep-sky objects, complete with notes and pencil sketches.  

I’m glad I didn’t quit during those early years, despite all of my obstacles, and regardless of the amount of light pollution, there are always deep-sky objects that can be observed.  So, don’t give up!   

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University Optics Closes Doors After 50+ Years

Posted December 3, 2017 by rogerivester
Categories: Roger's Articles

I’m a bit late in finding out (January 2018) but University Optics closed its doors in ~June 2017.  I was saddened to hear this.     

I purchased all of the original UO Konig’s over 30 years ago:  A 12mm, 16mm, 24mm in a 1.25-inch format, and a 32mm 2-inch…also a 20mm UO Erfle, and a 2.8x three-element apochromatic Barlow.  I have, or have had many other eyepieces over the years, including Televue, Celestron, Meade and others.  But I still use my Konig’s quite often, even to this day.  As a visual observer, I love eyepieces.  However, my last eyepiece purchase was over ten years ago…an 11mm Explore Scientific 82º AF bought in-person, from the Park’s Optical store in Las Vegas.   

It’s very sad to see a company that supplied mirror making kits, mirror cells, diagonal holders, and many other low profit items, now out of business after more than 50 years.  

University also sold a 6-inch f/8 Newtonian and an 80mm f/5 achromatic refractor in kit forms.  The refractor required both assembly and paint. The Newtonian only required assembly.  The 80mm was an air-spaced achromat which received many excellent reviews.   

University Optic’s will be missed by the amateur astronomy community.  So many great “made in  America” astronomy companies are no more.     

My University Optics eyepiece collection as following, and all still in pristine condition.   

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Science Hobbies-Charlotte And Scope City-Las Vegas: My First Telescope And Last Eyepiece Purchase (To-Date) Were From Brick And Mortar Astronomy Stores, But Both Are No More…

Posted November 7, 2017 by rogerivester
Categories: Roger's Articles
 
My first telescope purchase (1977) and my last eyepiece purchase (to-date) were from brick and mortar astronomy stores, but like most other full service astronomy stores…are no more. 

I will always remember my excitement on that late Friday evening, walking in Science Hobbies and purchasing a 4.25-inch Edmund EQ reflector.  I really wanted the 6-inch f/8 Super Space Conqueror, but I’d just began my first serious job and money was a bit tight.  I’d been looking at telescopes in those little Edmund Scientific catalogs for the longest time.    

Science Hobbies was a small family owned hobby store that sold products mostly from Edmund Scientific.  For many years they had a big 8-inch Edmund f/6 Newtonian Reflector on a massive equatorial mount sitting in the front window.

Throughout the years, I always enjoyed going to Science Hobbies.  It was fun to be able to see and feel many of the products from Edmund.  Other than my telescope, I bought a few eyepieces, a pedestal mounted eyepiece holder, books and too many other astronomy related products to list. 

My last trip to Science Hobbies:   

It was a Saturday afternoon in the mid-90’s, when I decided to visit Science Hobbies, which I’d done so many times before.  I got out of the car and went to the front door only to find it locked, and the store was empty.  Somehow, I had missed not seeing the rusty sign that hung over the door for so many years and the large 8-inch Newtonian, was not in the front window.  The store had closed, and at that moment, a bit of sadness came over me.  This would be my last visit to the location that was the former…Science Hobbies.  

Now to Scope City in Las Vegas: 

When visiting family in Las Vegas on at least a couple trips, one in 2008 and then again in December 2010, I visited the Las Vegas Scope City store.  However, I was sorry I didn’t purchase an 11mm Explore Scientific 82º eyepiece while being in the store.  When I got home I called back, and placed an order over the phone for the eyepiece.  So, to-date, this has been my last eyepiece purchase. I also purchased some very nice engraved 6-inch aluminum setting circles from Scope City, which was the only company that still sold them.  

I had always enjoyed seeing the Scope City advertisements in the magazines, showing those big Parks Optical Newtonian’s with massive equatorial mounts. 

It was great to be able to visit the Scope City Store, but unfortunately, not very long after my last visit and purchase, Scope City also went out of business.  

I have often wondered what happened to the 8-inch Parks Optical Newtonian, on a very heavy duty equatorial mount that was sitting in a corner of the Las Vegas store. 

My first telescope was purchased from Science Hobbies in Charlotte, or a retail (brick and mortar) store and later went out of business.   And my last eyepiece (to-date) purchase was from a brick and mortar store, being  Scope City in Las Vegas, also later to go out of business.  

After the demise of Cave Optical in Long Beach, it was Parks Optical that took their place with  large equatorial Newtonian reflectors, on a large scale production basis.   

Science Hobbies, Scope City, Cave and Parks Optical are all missed, especially by those like myself that have been serious students of amateur astronomy for 40 or more years.    

My first telescope purchased from Science Hobbies in Charlotte: A 4.25-inch f/10 reflector which I purchased in March 1977. The following photo was made in a rented hours: An old (built in 1927) mill village house which was incredibly cold during the winters.

My first observation using this telescope was Jupiter from the side yard from that house. And It was using this telescope during the fall of that year from the light polluted backyard that I first observed galaxies M81/82. This was a defining moment for me, as in my mind on that night…I became a real amateur astronomer.

I purchased the following books from Science Hobbies, that taught me so much about amateur astronomy.

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The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse from Laurens, South Carolina A Great And Memorable Day

Posted August 26, 2017 by rogerivester
Categories: Roger's Articles

Image of the eclipse, the diamond ring, and Bailey’s beads provided by Barre Spencer and Patrick White using a Canon Rebel with a 200 mm zoom lens.  Location of photo:  Columbia, SC 

(s) Diamond / Baily's Beads 9

A group of folks from various places met outside of an Italian restaurant to enjoy the solar eclipse together.  We were all surprised how few came to this quaint little town to observe this historic event.  The totality duration was ~ 2 mins  34 seconds, and with perfect weather!    

Very comfortable weather, with very low humidity.  Yes…a perfect day, and only 40 miles away from our house.  We drove some back roads, and crossed over I-85, that was bumper-to-bumper.  It actually looked like a parking lot for as far as the eye could see.

The I-85 event reminded me of the day that Deb and I tried to get on the Santa Monica Freeway, in California.  We actually had to pull an illegal turn at the top of the ramp!  

During totality the sky darkened to a surprising level, but not as dark as a clear full moon night. Venus appeared very bright in the western sky and Jupiter in the southeast.  I could not see any stars….naked eye.  

Both Debbie and I were amazed at the sudden flash of the diamond ring.  (See the image above) 

The temperature drop was very significant.  A weather bureau report from Newberry, SC, only 30 miles away, also in the line of totality, had a temperature drop of 11º Fahrenheit .  

I had always wondered what the temperature drop could be during a total solar eclipse, so now I know.

When the sun began to reemerge, we noticed a shimmering of light waves on the pavement under our feet and all around us, known as shadow bands.  A very interesting phenomenon, that I was hoping we’d see, and we did! 

I’m just sorry that I didn’t video a few seconds of the shadow bands, however, they are forever  stored in my mind.  I can just see them now! 

We drove back through country roads and were home in less than 45 minutes.  What an incredible and memorable day.  

And thanks to John Goss, President of the Astronomical League at that time, sent both Debbie and myself, a very nice and high quality lapel pin.  I wear it often to this day. 

Regarding the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse:  We enjoyed the moment, and the events taking place all around us.

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2017 Astronomical League Total Solar Eclipse Lapel Pin:

Note my 2017 eclipse pin only recently.

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Remembering Comet Hale-Bopp March 1997:

Posted August 14, 2017 by rogerivester
Categories: Roger's Articles
 

Comet Hale-Bopp  
March 1997
10-Inch Newtonian Reflector
Magnification: 160x
FOV: 0.38º

White charcoal pencil sketch as following on black card stock.  The three tails are visible:  The anti-tail, the ion or gas tail and the dust tail are clearly visible.   Roger Ivester (North Carolina)  

 
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The following sketch by Sue French:  New York  

Unfortunately, the sketch is actually larger than our scanner can copy, so some of the comet is cut off.  The sketch was made on 4/2/1997.  The tail was about 15° long to the naked eye.  To get the tail and the core detail in the same sketch, I used three different instruments: 8×40 binoculars, a 90mm refractor, and a 6-inch reflector. 

 

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After 17 years, my observing partner passed away. Her name was CJ, and Astronomy from my backyard will never be the same.

Posted March 14, 2017 by rogerivester
Categories: Roger's Articles

I can still see CJ, our Persian Cat, waiting anxiously at the back door to go outside, while I’d be setting up my telescope on the deck or in the backyard. 

She would walk around, climb the deck, play like she was catching something….pouncing and clawing the ground. However, after a short while, she’d end up on my lap, either due to being cold, or to just feel safe.  

CJ was going to stay with me for only a couple weeks, and then would be moving to California, but that two weeks ended up being almost 17 years.  I’m really glad the move didn’t work out.   

Astronomy from my backyard will never be the same.  

Debbie and I held her in our arms from 11:30 AM till 8:15 PM.  I had my hand on her chest when her little heart beat the last time, after 19 years.  It was a very sad day.  

CJ had a wonderful life.  We treated her like a Princess!    

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January 1965: A Very Cold Month With Snow And Lots Of School Days Missed

Posted March 12, 2017 by rogerivester
Categories: Roger's Articles

The following photo at the bottom of this post was made in January 1965:

A cold month with a lot of snow and school days missed. During this particular snow, there was more than 12-inches of snow on the ground at one time with extremely low temperatures.

Temperatures dropped into single digits for several days, which caused havoc on plumbing for many, and to make matters worse, deep-snow and ice persisted.

During January of this year, the First Broad River froze solid, something I’d never seen before or since.

This was just one of several snow falls that would occur….extending into the months of February and March of 1965.

In the following photo, L-R, are three of my brothers: Ronny, Phillip and Jimmy who are clearing snow with a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood.

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Aerial View Of Meteor Crater Compliments of James Yeager, Pilot American Airlines

Posted December 6, 2016 by rogerivester
Categories: Roger's Articles

“Snow in Meteor Crater for an ice effect as the sun was starting to set.”  James Yeager 

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Mount Potosi, Nevada With Ties To Boiling Springs And Lincolnton, North Carolina: Aerial Photos By James Yeager, Pilot-American Airlines – Article Excerpts From Astronomy Magazine, And Also The Plane Crash In 1942.

Posted December 4, 2016 by rogerivester
Categories: Mount Potosi Observing Complex In Southern Nevada

Mount Potosi: The infamous mountain with ties to Boiling Springs and Lincolnton, North Carolina.

The following paragraph from wikipedia tells the story of the TWA plane crash on January 6th 1942 that killed actress Carole Lombard, with a total of 22 souls being lost. Remnants of the plane are still located on the mountain, even to this day. Due to deep snow on the mountain and difficult terrain, all of the bodies were not able to be recovered. Roger Ivester

TWA Flight 3 was a twin-engine Douglas DC-3-382propliner, registration NC1946, operated by Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA) as a scheduled domestic passenger flight from New York, New York, to Burbank, California, in the United States, via several stopovers including Las Vegas, Nevada.[1] On January 16, 1942 at 19:20 PST, fifteen minutes after takeoff from Las Vegas Airport (now Nellis Air Force Base) bound for Burbank, the aircraft was destroyed when it crashed into a sheer cliff on Potosi Mountain, 32 miles (51 km) southwest of the airport, at an elevation of 7,770 ft (2,370 m) above sea level.[2] All 22 people on board, including movie star Carole Lombard, her mother, and three crew members, died in the crash. The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) investigated the accident and determined that the cause was a navigation error by the captain.[1]

The following aerial photos of Mount Potosi and information by AA Pilot, James Yeager: 

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The above aerial photos from an American Airlines Airbus at 13,000 feet:  

“When flying from Los Angeles into Las Vegas, air traffic control will usually give an arrival called KEPEC3, to set you up for a landing on 25L.  Yesterday morning, they vectored us off the arrival and gave us a heading to fly….that allowed me to get a view of a very cool piece of property on Mount Potosi.”  James Yeager, Pilot, American Airlines.

Cockpit view of Mount Potosi in the distance from McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada. 

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The Dr. James Hermann, MD. (14-inch RC Telescope and mount from North Carolina.) 

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Some brief excerpts from the Astronomy Magazine article, February 2016, pages 54-57, complete with photos of the telescope, domes, pictures of the building process, and other.  By Raymond Shubinski 

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“BE PREPARED. The Boy Scout motto is familiar to everyone, and excellent advice for all. Being prepared requires planning and vision, and this observatory project on a Boy Scout camp southwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, shows both.” 

“A beautiful Officinal Stellare telescope now sits housed at an elevation of 5,680 feet on Mount Potosi, 25 miles from the world famous and incredibly bright…Las Vegas strip.”  

“Jim Gianoulakis is the prime mover behind the efforts to bring this level of astronomical experience to Southern Nevada.  He has been involved in the LVAS for more than 10 years.  His passion for amateur astronomy, coupled with that of the current president of the LVAS, Rob Lambert, has made this project bloom on a desert mountain.”

The flame is lit:

“The catalyst of the project came in August 2012.  Gianoulakis, then president of the LVAS, received a message from Roger Ivester, an LVAS member living in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.  Ivester knew of an individual looking to gift a scope and mount to a group with a good use for it.”

“Gianoulakis and Lambert collaborated on the proposal, which was accepted, and the project was off and running.  James Hermann, a North Carolina resident donated the scope, a 14-inch Officinal Stellare Pro RC-360.  The gift also included an Astro Systeme Austrian equatorial mount.  The value of this donation is $50,000.”  

Note:  James Hermann, MD is an emergency room physician.  Roger Ivester

Other facts:

“…members started looking for donations.  An initial gift of $2,500 came from the LVAS  membership.  Then the club raised an additional $10,000 from Las Vegas individuals and businesses.  

“Dan Johanneck at Explora-Dome in Litchfield Minnesota promised 11.5-foot dome and 8-foot domes for the Project.”

“Now where to put the observatory?  The Las Vegas Area (Scout) Reservation southwest of the city. Located on the reservation is Camp Potosi where scouts can camp and work on many of their merit badges.  With an elevation of more than a mile and shielded from the direct glare of the strip, Mount Potosi was an excellent candidate for a future observatory.  So, the LVAS entered into discussions with the council.  It was a win-win arrangement.  The LVAS gets the land on Mount Potosi within the scout camp.  In exchange, the LVAS will provide assistance with the merit badge program and organize viewing events.”  

Again, this is a four page article, and the above is just to give you an idea what the Mount Potosi Observing Complex is all about.  

Roger Ivester

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