October 12, 2006: To help provide a consistent style for my double star sketches, the above sketch is a digital update to the original sketch.
Observation Notes:
My first impression was of a wide double with a blue southern component that was much brighter than its southern counterpart. I had to use averted vision to see the northern star–high clouds were getting very problematic. After further research later, it turns out I missed a third bright component that is separated by 2.4″ from the brightest star. So I should really be seeing a triple star. I want to look at this again to see if I can pick out this closer star.
| Subject | Zeta Orionis (Alnitak / 50 ORI / STF 774) |
| Classification | Multiple Star |
| Position | Orion [RA: 05:40:45.5 / Dec: -01:56:33]* |
| Separation* | 2.4″, 58″ |
| Magnitudes* | 1.9 / 4.0 / 9.9 |
| Position Angle* | 162° / 10° |
| Date/Time | 01/16/05 – 10:05 PM |
| Observing Loc. | Flagstaff, AZ – Home |
| Instrument | Orion SVP 6LT Reflector (150 mm dia./1200 mm F/L) |
| Eyepieces/Mag. | 10 mm + 2X Barlow (240X) |
| Conditions | Patchy high clouds, cool (34°F), 1st quarter Moon |
| Seeing | 5/10 |
| Transparency | Mag 4.0 NELM |
*Based on published data.