Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 

Jim Jones
Star  Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date and Time: 1/6/01 0522 UTC 
Seeing: 6 <1 worst - 10 best> 
Location of Site:  Lake Oswego, Oregon 
Site Classification: Suburban 
Sky Darkness: 4 <Limiting Magnitude> 
Moon: Phase .789 
Telescope: 8 inch LX50 SCT 
Eye Piece(s): 18mm Radian, UO 7mm Ortho, 
Ultima 2x barlow 
Magnification: 112x, 285x, 570x 

 
 
 

 a & b very bright with a only slightly brighter than b.  c set off at some distance and much dimmer.  I got so involved in admiring the diffraction rings at 285x and 570x, I forgot to look for color or to est PA.  Next time. 

Elongation of ab at 112x; Very nice split at 285x with overlapping diffraction rings; even nicer at 570x. 

 

 

 
 
 
 
Luis Argüelles
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: Tuesday, 9th, January, 2001, 20:30 UT 
Site of Observation: Alto del Naranco, Oviedo 
Site Clasification: Suburban 
Seeing: 2-3 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> 
Sky darkness: About 3 <Limiting magnitude> Transparency: 6 
Temperature: About 11ºC 
Conditions: Very strong wind (maybe about 40 km/h) 
Telescope: Televue Ranger 
Magnification: 24x, 126x 
Eye Piece(s): Eudiascopic 20mm and 3.8mm 
 
 
Taken with a Hi8 Videocamera (only camera's optics)
 		 At 24x the C component of this system is rather easy to observe, having in mind the light polluted sky near Oviedo, but trying to split the tighter AB components is out of question with this seeing and the strong wind. At 128x the tripod/telescope movement is very noticeable showing the two brighter components of Castor in a frenetic dance. 

In any case, I "suspect" some duplicity, but I think it's more a question of knowing very well this double and the experience observing it in the past with this refractor and other telescopes. 
 
+ ----------------------------------- + 
 
Since this observation has been made in a total Moon eclipse "environment", I enclose here some other comments: 

Observing a total Moon eclipse is a wonderful show. The best thing is not only to observe the orangish coloration of the Moon, but also the stars that seem to be floating around. It's a bit like "beeing" into space, and even the first impression from the eyepiece is to be observing with a microscope a rare biological sample, since we are not used to so much color using our telescopes. 

Causuality has made that the Moon at 20:05 UT is framed in a circle fashion by TYC 1359-1014-1(m=6.4), 63 Geminorum (m=5.2), TYC 1372-1115-1 (m=7.15), TYC 1372-1306-1 (m=8.54), TYC 1372-1262-1 (m= 7.55), TYC 1372-1498-1 (m = 9.21) and the double formed by TYC 1359-797-1 (m= 6.78) and TYC 1359-2674-1 (m = 8.91). 

With the Ranger, this mencioned double  (RA: 07h 27m 38s, Dec: +22° 08' 33") is really easy to split at only 24x despite the bad seeing and interestingly I forget to pay attention to 63 Gem. 

Using 48x (Eudiascopic 10mm) to better frame the eclipsed Moon doesn't improve the view so I go down again at 24x enjoying from the space-walk (ah, how much I miss that Nagler 16mm that is travelling to Oviedo these days!). 

I aim also my new Pentax PCF-V 8x40 to the eclipsed moon mounted over the Manfrotto tripod and the show is the best of the night. Without doubt, a quality binocular with a field of view about 6 or 7 degrees is the best observing tool for a Moon eclipse in order to enjoy from the aesthetics of the event. This observaton is the "first lights" for this binos. 

But everybody knows that amateurs like to carry a lot of instruments and recording devices. It was impossible for me to forget my videocamera and it recorded very nice images using only the optical zoom's camera at 18x. 63 Geminorum is also recorded on the videotape, although you need "averted vision" at the TV set in order to see it. So I've discovered that the limiting magnitude of my videocamera is about 5.2. Also, I recorded the Moon, Castor and Pollux in the same frame, making a nice video composition. 

I think my videocamera will start to observe more and more sky since now! 
 
 
 
Bill Reinehr
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: Jan 12, 2001 -  03:15 UTC   
Seeing: 8 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> 
Conditions: moon just breaking horizon, instant dew, very steady. 
Location of site: Pflugerville, Texas, USA  (30 degrees N.) 
Site classification: Suburban  
Sky darkness: 3.9 <Limiting magnitude>  
Temperature: 42º F. 
Telescope: Vixen 80mm Fluorite, f/8  on Custom D altaz mount  
Magnification: 29x (22mm Vixen SW) & 91x (7mm Pentax XL) 
 		 The 3rd component faint but easily seen at 29x. No split of A/B at 29x. At 91x, A/B was cleanly split. Primary appeared white to me, secondary looked orange. No color noted in 3rd component. 

Castor is cited as mag 2.5 in our list - isn't 1.5 or 1.6 closer? 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Tim Leese
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: 13 January 2001( 19:35 UT )  
Seeing: 6  <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>  
Location of site: Cheshire. UK 
53° 15' N –2º 33' W  
Site classification: Suburban  
Sky darkness: 3-4 <Limiting magnitude>  
Conditions: Clear and cold with drifting high haze. 
Telescope: 200mm f/6  Newtonian scope  mounted 
over a Vixen GP mount (manual slow motion). 
Any Quoted PA or SEP using Celestron micro guide (CMG ) 
Magnification: X60, X120, X322 
 		 Using a magnification of X60 I suspected elongation(figure of eight) for this double with the wider C component being observed at a PA of about 165deg. 
 
Increasing the magnification to X120 split the A/B components into a very nice bright double star within this multiple star system. 

With the CMG at X322 magnification the image was not as steady as the lower magnifications so I decided to experiment with a very crude apodising filter made from a series of fine wire mesh masks. Using the mask seemed to steady the image slightly but the stars could be observed inside the centre of a series of spokes containing coloured diffraction patterns. 
 
Using the CMG and the mask I could determine the separation between A and B to be 4.2sec with the PA estimated to be at 65deg.
 
 
Rafael Barberá 
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: 16, January, 2001 
Seeing: 3 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> 
Other conditions: High humidity and cloud dispersed (about 60%) 
Location of site: Manises, Spain 
Site classification: Suburban 
Sky darkness: -- <Limiting magnitude>  
Telescope: Helios 102mm F/5 + Barlow Klee 2.8x 
(e.f.l. 1400mm or f/13.7) + Philips ToUCam Pro (Webcam) 
Software used: 
Acquisition: Vega 1.2.1 
Processing: Iris 3.21 
Simulation: Aberrator 2.53 
Composition: PhotoShop 5 LE. 
 		 Yesterday night, through a high turbulent atmosphere I can get a shot of Castor with my webcam. I make a simulation with Aberrator 2.53 and compose a picture showing the theoric (sp?) aspect of Castor and the one captured with my camera 
 
 
 
The simulation is for a star with a separation of 1.8" and with 1.6 dif in mag, through a 98mm telescope (this is the clear aperture of my Helios). As you can see, on the real image the B component is slightly outer that in the simulation, so the actual separation is more that 1.8". I don't have calibrated my setup, primary because I don't have settle it down ;-). I'm experimenting with different combinations of Barlow and eyepieces for projection. 
 
 
 
Susan Delaney
Star  Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date and Time: 2001-01-22, 02:30 - 04:30 UT 
Seeing: 5/10  <1 worst - 10 best> 
turbulence with some steady periods 
Transparency: 9/10  not a cloud in the sky 
Location of Site: Fairfield, CT, USA 
Latitude: 41.12 N, Longitude: 73.15 W, 
Site Classification: Suburban 
Elevation: 25 
Sky Darkness: ~ 5 <Limiting Magnitude> 
Temperature: 22º F (-5.5º C) 
Telescope: Discovery 10" (25cm) 
DHQ f/5.6 Dobsonian 
Eye Piece(s): 22mm Nagler, 9mm Nagler 
Magnification: 64x, 158 
 		 A and B components nicely split at 158x with C component further away and much dimmer in magnitude. A and B looked appeared sparkling, brilliant white while the C companion was a murky whitish blue with a hint of pink. 
 
Ambience: 

As I walked outside, I looked up and noted the brilliant, colorful, beauty of the stars twinkling in a dark, sable sea. A dazzling, blue Sirius beaconed to me first, followed by rich, golden Betelgeuse. 

I shifted my gaze upward and my attention slowly eased towards the steady glow of Jupiter and Saturn. Nearby, the members of the Pleiades danced merrily like a swarm of fireflies. 

The crunching of my feet in the snow turned my attention back towards Earth. As I admired the beauty of the glistening snow and ice crystals, I imagined they were reflecting this brilliant shower of starlight back up to the heavens in majestic and loving acknowledgement of the stars they were mimicking. 

Although silence filled the air, my heart sang a symphony of admiration and immense joy as I absorbed the  jubilant and colorful radiance around me. 
 
 
 
William L. Schart
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: January 21, 2001  7:51 pm CST 
Seeing: 7 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>  
Location of site: Killeen, TX (Lat 31 N, Elev 600 ft)  
Site classification: Suburban  
Sky darkness: 4. <Limiting magnitude>  
Telescope: Orion 6" Dob.  
Magnification: 48x, 72x, 120x, 98x		 The fainter and more wide spread companion was easily spotted, even at 48x, but it took 72x before I got even a hint of separation on the 2 close ones. Going up to 120x I got a good clean, but close split - just a thin thread of black between 2 circles sitting one on the other, snowman style. A seemed to be a brilliant W, B either Y or O, and C too faint for me to tell. 
 

 
 
 
Tomás Vazquez
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: 20/1/2001, 21:06:41 UT 
Seeing: 4 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> 
Location of site: 37 24 N. 5 58 W. Sevilla, Spain 
Site classification: Urban 
Sky darkness: 3 <Limiting magnitude> 
Telescope: Celestron C8” D:203mm. f/6,3 
Magnification: CCD Camera 
Time of Integration: 6 seconds. 
Software: 
CCD Reading: LUCAS 1.1 
Treatment: LAIA 3.1g 
 
 		 Position Image: North Up, Este Left. 

Computer Interface Telescope: MICRO-GUIDER III. 
Planetariun and Telescope Control Program: ECU. "Earth Cerntered Universe 

Description: Alpha (Castor) it is a multiple system. They can be observed in this image the component C and D, the component B is not easy to separate for its vicinity with the main one. 

 
 
 
Philippe de Jocas 
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: Jan 26 2001 ; 02h00 UT 
Seeing: 4.5 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>. 
Location of site: Ottawa/Hull, Canada 
Site classification: Suburban  
Sky darkness: 4.2-4.3 <Limiting magnitude> 
Temperature: ~ -15°C; no real wind to speak of 
Telescope: 6" f5 newtonian (Aldebaran) 
3inch /f7 refrac. (Alcor II) 
Magnification: 75x (Alcor II), 
150x (Aldebaran) 
  
 		 Finally I saw Castor, also resolved at 150x with Aldebaran, but also saw  it at 75x with my 80mm, as clearly elongated, on the verge of a clean  split... but not tonight. By the way, the 80mm is a sort of "taller"  brother  of the ST 80 but as an f7 (560mm fl). Its a very nice portable scope. 
 
 
 
Eddy O'Connor
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: Saturday, February 3rd 2001 
10-11 p.m. local, UT +11. 
Seeing: 6 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> 
Transparency: 4/10 
Temperature: 20ºC 
Location of Site: Terara, New South Wales, Australia, Long.150.38 degrees; South 34.52. 
Site Classification: Suburban 
Sky darkness: 4-5 <Limiting magnitude> 
Moon: Moon 10 days old. Calm 
Instrument: 8" Newt. F9 and 16" Newt. F5 
Magnification: 72x, 144x 
Eyepieces: 25mm K, 12.5 mm , 6mm ortho, 18mm Celestron Ultima 
Harshaw Scale: 1 (1-5, 1 best) 
 		 I had split this before in a previous year and recorded it as similar to a tight Alpha Centauri. Tonight this star was at altitude 19º and I was expecting problems. X72 revealed the wide companion, of ashy blue colour. With the 12 ½ mm orthoscopic and a power of X144 the primary reluctantly divided and the sight was of two fuzzy smowballs with a hairline of dark in between. No appreciable colour difference was noted. The brighter companion to this star when compared to that of Eta Gem must have made the splitting easier. Could it be that Eta is a closer double than the 1.5" listed? 
 
 
 
 
Ilario Melandri
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: 2 February 2001 ? 21.38 UTC 
Seeing: 8 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>  
Location of site: Italy, Ravenna, San Romualdo 
Lat 44 32’N Lon 12 08’E 
Elevation: 0 m 
Site classification: Rural  
Sky darkness: 3.5 <Limiting magnitude> 
Temperature: -2ºC 
Telescope: 150 mm f/15 achromatic refractor (lens by Romano Zen, Venice). 
Magnification: 140x (eyepiece OR 9 mm) 
 		 Note: mag 3.5 component seem to have a PA about 80 nstead of 140 as stated. 
 
 
 
 
 
Thomas Jensen
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: Saturday 10/2-2001, around 7.30PM  
Seeing: About 7 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> 
Transparency: 7 
Location of site: Denmark 
Site classification: Suburban  
Sky darkness: About 4 <Limiting magnitude>  
Conditions: No wind 
Temperature: Around –2ºC 
Telescope: 50/880mm Zeiss Apo on an altaz mount 
Magnification: 34X, 104X (26mm Plössl and 17mm Plössl + 2X  barlow) 
 		 Elongated at 34X. Easily resolved at 104X with beautiful diffraction rings and sharply defined airy disks. "Textbook perfect" diff pattern. Both stars looked slightly yellow-white to me. (The data on Castor in Burnhams is now seriously dated. What are the latest data on sep and PA? Any measurements please?). 
 
At this time the Moon interfered badly and fainter stars dissapeared. I was also getting cold so I decided to go inside again. 
 
 
 
 
Thad Robosson
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: 2/12/01  02:00UT (2/13) 
Seeing: 7~8 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> 
Transparency: 3/10 
Location of site: Phoenix, USA 
33º 32.674N, -112º 08.029W 
Site classification: Decidedly Urban 
Sky darkness: -- <Limiting magnitude> 
Temperature: In the mid 60's (F) 
Telescope: 90mm ETX MakCas 
Eyepieces: Vixen Lanthanum 10 and 15mm, 
Meade super wide 32 and 20mm. 
Magnification: 63x, 83x 
 

Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: 2/16/01, 03:00UT (2/17) 
Seeing: 6 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> 
Transparency: 4/10 
Location of site: Phoenix, USA 
33º 32.674N, -112º 08.029W 
Site classification: Decidedly Urban 
Sky darkness: -- <Limiting magnitude> 
Temperature: In the mid 60's (F) 
Telescope: 8"f/6 newt on an EQ mount  
Eyepieces: Vixen Lanthanum 10,15mm, 
Meade Super wide 32, 20mm 
Apogee 2x shorty barlow. 
Magnification:  
 

 B comp at 80°, C at 170°.  All comp are white. Peanuted at 63x, and obvious at 83x. 
 
Ambiance: Traffic noise, airplane noise, city noise.  All tuned out after about 5 minutes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Not a problem.  80x gave ABxC easily with AB elongated.  120x split all nicely.  AB at 70° and ABxC at 180°. 

 
 
 
Otto Piechowski
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: Sunday, February 25, 2001 
8 to 10 pm EST 
Seeing: 7 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> 
Location of site: Lexington, Kentucky, USA 
Site classification: Suburban  
Sky darkness:  <Limiting magnitude>  
Conditions: Clear, deep sky, still, fairly steady sky 
Telescope: 150 mm mak-cass 
Magnification: 257X, 360X (7 and 5 mm 
orthoscopic eyepieces)		 Easily resolved, beautiful. 
 
 
 
 
Giuseppe (Pino) Bandini
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: 15 February 2001 - 20.39 UTC 
Seeing: 9 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> 
Location of site: Ravenna, Italy. 0 mts Altitude 
Site classification: Urban  
Sky darkness: -- <Limiting magnitude>  
Temperature: 9ºC 
Telescope: Celestron 8 
Magnification: 125 x (Plossl 16 mm)		  

 
 
 
Rafael Benavides
Star: Castor (Alpha Geminorum) 
Date & Time: 17 - February - 2001 
(21 h 00 m UT) 
Seeing: 8 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>  
Location of site: Posadas (Córdoba), Spain 
Site classification: Suburban  
Sky darkness: 5.7 <Limiting magnitude>  
Temperature: 2ºC 
Telescope: Helios 120 mm f/8.3 achromatic refractor 
Magnification:  
Eye Pieces: Plossl 10 mm, Microguide 12.5 mm, 2x Barlow, diagonal prism		 Using 100x magnification I saw a very nice bright white pair, it was splendid. 
 
With  MicroGuide at 500x I attempted some measurements. From an average of 6 measures I found the secondary to be at PA 63º7 with separation of 4"04. 
Rating: 1