Introduction

James Mullaney

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511576218.001

Introduction

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 January 2013

James Mullaney

Illustrated by

Wil Tirion

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Summary

We are very pleased to present what is the first major modern star atlas devoted primarily to the observation of visual double and multiple stars. With the widespread growing popularity of viewing these tinted jewels of the heavens by amateur astronomers today, the need for such a work clearly exists. The one classic atlas that identified these objects, along with their discoverers and/or catalog designations, was Norton's Star Atlas through its first 17 editions. Sadly, all later revised and redrawn versions of this atlas – initially re-titled Norton's 2000.0 and currently back to the original Norton's Star Atlas – dropped the discoverer and catalog labels (along with those of the clusters, nebulae and galaxies discovered by the Herschels) to the dismay of observers of both classes of deep-sky wonders.

It is now estimated that at least 80 percent of the stellar population exists as pairs or multiple systems of suns. Their amazing profusion, combined with a seemingly endless variety of color combinations, brightnesses, separations, and component configurations, make them fascinating objects for both leisurely viewing and serious study. Abounding as they do among the naked-eye stars, literally thousands of them are visible with even the smallest of glasses (and, in the case of the wider pairs, with binoculars as well) and on all but the very worst of nights – including those with bright moonlight, haze and heavy light pollution.

Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge Double Star Atlas , pp. 1 - 24

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511576218.001 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2009

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References

Aitken, R. G., The Binary Stars, Dover Publications, 1963. The acknowledged professional-level classic work by one of the greatest of all double star observers.Google Scholar

Argyle, R., Webb Deep-Sky Handbooks & Observing Guides, Volume 1, Double Stars, second edition, Webb Deep-Sky Society, 1986. Contains lots of great practical advice on observing these objects. The Society's double star section itself can be accessed online at: http://www.webbdeepsky.com/notes/doublest01.html

Argyle, R., ed., Observing and Measuring Visual Double Stars, Springer-Verlag, 2004. An in-depth guide to the more serious aspects of double star observations by 11 active amateur and professional workers in the field.CrossRef Google Scholar

Burnham, Jr. R., Burnham's Celestial Handbook, Volumes 1, 2 and 3, Dover Publications, 1978. One of the most comprehensive guidebooks ever written, this modern classic covers some 7,000 celestial objects, many of which are double and multiple stars. Anyone that considers themselves a stargazer simply must own a set!Google Scholar

Couteau, P., Observing Visual Double Stars, MIT Press, 1981. A professional-level work by one of the most active modern observers of binary systems.Google Scholar

Crossley, E., Glendhill, J. and Wilson, J., A Handbook of Double Stars, Macmillan, 1879. A charming early classic on the subject providing a fascinating account of the field during its “golden years” of activity by amateur and professional astronomers.Google Scholar

,European Space Agency, Double and Multiple Systems Annex of the Hipparcos and Tycho astrometric catalogs, 1997. Based on the two amazing astrometric satellites of the same names, this compilation provides incredibly precise values of the various positional parameters of this class of stars.

Haas, S., Double Stars for Small Telescopes, Sky Publishing, 2006. A delightful survey of many of the most fascinating double and multiple stars for amateur-class instruments. Haas is well-known for her charmingly picturesque accounts of the heavenly tints and hues of these objects.Google Scholar

Hartung, E., Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes, Cambridge University Press, 1998. Perhaps the ultimate descriptive work on the appearance of deep-sky wonders of all types as seen from the southern hemisphere. (Also includes many wonders visible from the northern hemisphere.)Google Scholar

Hirshfield, A. and Sinnott, R., Sky Catalogue 2000.0, Volume 2, Sky Publishing and Cambridge University Press, 1985. One of two companion volumes to Wil Tirion's famed Sky Atlas 2000.0, this is perhaps the most useful and comprehensive of all such compilations. It contains data on more than 8,000 double and multiple stars, in addition to thousands of other types of deep-sky objects.Google Scholar

,The Journal of Double Star Observations, an electronic quarterly journal published by the University of South Alabama, containing papers by both amateur and professional observers. Edited by R. K. Clark & R. Mollise, it can be downloaded without charge at: http://www.jdso.org

Kepple, G. and Sanner, G., Night Sky Observer's Guide, Willmann-Bell, 1998. This two-volume set by a very active, long-time observing team contains a huge amount of observing and descriptive information on various types of deep-sky objects including double and multiple stars. (A third volume covering the southern hemisphere, with different co-authors, was published in 2008.)Google Scholar

Mason, B., Wycoff, G. and Hartkopf, W., Washington Double Star Catalog, US Naval Observatory. This is without question the ultimate reference for the latest available double star data! Maintained by the US Naval Observatory, it currently contains measurements and other information on more than 100,000 of these objects and is updated continuously. It can be accessed online at: http://ad.usno.navy.mil/wds/

Mullaney, J., Double and Multiple Stars and How to Observe Them, Springer-Verlag, 2005. This upbeat, non-technical overview of the subject by the co-author of this Atlas emphasizes the pleasure to be derived from observation of these starry jewels, in addition to pointing out areas for useful work by amateur astronomers.Google Scholar

Smyth, W. H., The Bedford Catalogue, Volume 2 of a Cycle of Celestial Objects, Willmann-Bell, 1986. This reprinted classic from 1844 is the one that really “started it all” in terms of turning observers onto the fascinating world of deep-sky observing with small instruments. The majority of its 850 objects are double and multiple stars.Google Scholar

Tanguay, R., The Double Star Observer's Handbook, self-published, 2003. An amazingly comprehensive and useful text covering all aspects of serious double star observing by both amateur and professional astronomers. It's been compared to a much-needed, modern version of Aiken's classic work, The Binary Stars.Google Scholar

Webb, T. W., Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes, Volume 2, Dover Publications, 1962. First published in 1859 as a single volume, this charming classic quickly became the most loved and used guidebook of its day – a popularity that has continued right up to the present time. Later editions contain nearly 4,000 objects, some 90 percent of which are double and multiple stars!Google Scholar

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Introduction

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