4 Vulpecula  

William L. Schart
Star: 4 Vulpecula (h2871) 
Date & Time: 9/15/00, 11:28 pm CDT  
Seeing: 8 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>  
Location of site: Killeen, TX (Lat 31 N, Elev 600 ft)  
Site classification: Suburban  
Sky darkness: 4, Full Moon <Limiting magnitude>  
Telescope: Orion 6" Dob.  
Magnification:   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Star: 4 Vulpecula (h2871) 
Date & Time: 9/16/00 9:08 pm CDT  
Seeing: 8 <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: 32x, 72x, 98x 
 
Details: Interestingly enough, I had some trouble at first finding this. I think it was because I am used to observing this part of the sky when it is in the east and now that it is somewhat to the west, I was disoriented. I got the binocs and did a bit of scouting. Once I got my bearings, it was easy. This pair forms the top of the "hook" of the coathanger asterism. This is also known as Brocchi's cluster, however data from Hyparchos indicates that they are unrelated stars. 
(see Skiff,  S&T Jan 1998, p 65-7). 

Once found, I did not think I was going to be able to split this tonight. The problem is not in the separation (18" - otherwise an easy split) but the faintness of the secondary (mag 10). The moon all but washed this out. However, I studied it for some time and was able to detect, with averted vision and tube jiggling, the secondary. Much to faint to measures, it was in the ball park for separation. 
Consulting previous observations of this star, I found that on 8/19/00, with no moon, I had noted that the companion was clearly seen but at the limits of my equipment. 

The primary was a brilliant yellow - similar in color to the yellow component of beta Cygnii. 

Ambience: The weather here is cooling down - only 93 (that's 32 to you SI guys) today, and almost comfortable tonight. Towards sunset there were some clouds to the south, but none in this part of the sky. While setting up, one of my dogs came out to do his thing, and then went back in. The cat stayed out to watch the goings-on, but disdainfully declined to observe. I don't think she approves. But 
then she doesn't approve of much that does not put food in front of her. But then she is the Queen of the Universe (at least she thinks so). 
 
 
 
Tonight, without the moon, I easily detected the companion plus a nearby third faint star. They form a scalene right triangle with the companion at the vertex. The primary is a nice, bright yellow, while the others are too faint to really tell. However, the companion did apperar to have an occasional hint of blue. Separation 
16-20", PA  36. These measures were attempted with the Microguide, but really are sort of semi-guesstimates, as the faint companion was washed out by the EP illumination and I aligned by memory. 
 
Ambience: Night 2 of the Olympics was more fruitful due to the more delayed 
appearance of the moon. Seeing was excellent and the skies were quite dark for around here. Neither the cat nor dog choose to join me this evening. We have had a break in the horrible heat and it was almost pleasant. The main problem I had was most of my intended targets were more or less directly overhead and I had to execute a number of Olympic-level gymnastic feats to look through he finder, and manouver the scope. Then, other targets were hidden behind trees, roofs, etc. 
 
I may have to do some observing from my driveway, fighting porchlights, to get a squint at more from our list. Anyway, here are the results of this evening's work (including a report on an off list pair I stumbled across. Perhaps someone could confirm or deny my tentative ID?): 
 

 
 
Richard Harshaw
Star: 4 Vulpecula (h2871) 
Location of site: Northern Kansas City, Missouri (USA) 
94d 30m west longitude, 39d 15m north latitude 
980 ft above Mean Sea Level 
Date of observations (UT): UT: 02:15 of Sept. 16, 2000 
Site classification: suburban 
Sky conditions
seeing-- 4/10 up to 8/10, in short spans of time 
transparency-- 8 out of 10 
limiting visual magnitude-- 5.0 mag 
Telescope: Celestron C-8 
Eyepiece: 10mm  (207x) 
 
 
Position:  1926+1948 
Magnitudes:  5.2, 9.9, 11.6 
Sep/PA's:  AB = 19 - / 100 -.  AC = 53 / 204 +. 
Year of last measurement:  1957 
Distance (light years):  237 
Luminosity (in suns):  38 
Eyepiece and magnification:  10mm  (207x) 
Colors noted:  Y and W?. 
Stars B and C are hard to see due to the difference in magnitude and poor seeing (at times). 
The primary is an infra-red source. 
I rated this pair a 4. 
 
 
 
 
Eddy O'Connor
Star: 4 Vulpecula (h2871) 
Date & Time: 9 p.m local; UT +11. Saturday, September 16th  2000. 
Seeing: 6/10 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> 
Transparency: 6/10 
Location of Site: Terara, New South Wales, Australia, Long.150.38 degrees; 
South 34.52. 
Site Classification: Suburban 
Sky darkness: 4.5 <Limiting magnitude> 
Instrument: 8"  F9 Dobsonian 
Magnification: 72X (25mm K)
This rich mag. 5.16  orange star is the brightest star in the 'hook' of the Coathanger, a cluster easily found and recognised by binocular hunters. Starlist 2000 gives this giant lamp  the luminosity of 65 suns. Its faint mag 10 companion I observed with difficulty in reduced seeing . After some moments, a second  wider companion was spotted with the three forming a right-angle triangle. 
 
Comments: Too dim to observe colours of the companions, The Night Sky Observer's Guide lists the magnitudes of this triple as 5.2,9,9 and 11.6 , the separations as 18.9" and 52.6" and PA as 100 and 204. The colour of the primary  and the contrasting brightness of the companions make this triple a worthy Olympic group. 
 
 
 
 
Ilario Melandri
Star: 4 Vulpecula (h2871) 
Date & Time: 22/09/2000 – 19.45 UT
Seeing: 6 <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: 4.5 <Limiting magnitude> 
Temperature: +15C  
Telescope: 150 mm f/15 achromatic refractor (lens by Romano Zen, Venice). 
Magnification: 140x (Plossl 16mm)
 
The sep. of 18.9” at a distance of 319 light years, gives the distance
of about 1,850 Astronomical Units, about 11 Light Days.
 
 
 
 
 
Patrick J. Anway 
Star: 4 Vulpecula (h2871) 
Date & Time: Sept. 24, 2000, 11pm EDT (03:00 UT) 
Seeing: 6 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> 
Location of Site: Munising Michigan USA 
Site Classification: Rural 
Sky darkness: 6 <limiting magnitude> 
Sky condition: a few high clouds, no moon 
Temperature: 34deg F (2deg C) 
Telescope: Vixen 102mm f/9.8 
Eyepieces: 6mm, 9mm, 18mm orthos 
 

 

Using the 9mm for 111X, coupled with averted vision I was able to pick the comes out from the darkness. The primary seemed white and the companion was too dim to say. What I liked about this double was the location. "Top" the hook of the famous "coathanger" asterism and a favorite of most stargazers, including me.