A View of Stellar Complexity
In a somewhat isolated section of Perseus approximately four-degrees east of the California Nebula and two-degrees south are three relatively obvious stars which dominate the field of view in a small to moderate-sized amateur telescope. The northern most star V590 is a variable star. It also goes by the name of Struve 533 indicating it is a double star. The middle star, 55 Persei, is a single blue-white star while the most southern of the three stars, 56 Persei (also known as Struve 81) is a Multiple Star System (at least three known stars and possibly four).
Stars come in many sizes, luminosities, and colors. They are born, age and die. They are born in groups but often do not stay with their stellar siblings but move away from their birthplace as lone stars (like our sun) or in small gravitationally bound pairs or multiples. Each star is just not a star -- but a unique story in and of itself.
These three stars reflect the complexity contained in the stars. The primary star of V590 pulses in size and brightness and shines light-blue while its companion is a more subdued orange color. The middle star (55 Persei) is a brilliant bright blue single star while the equally bright yellow southern star (56 Persei) is a multiple star of which only its brightest companion can be seen in my refractor -- it is a white dwarf – a highly dense cinder of a dying star whose internal nuclear force has long been extinguished.
Through the telescope these three stars may look similar, but each is a study of its own. The same goes for all the other one-hundred billion stars in just our home galaxy (one galaxy of two trillion in the visible universe). Looks like that alone is justification (as if I need it) to spend some additional time at the telescope.
To see additional astronomy drawings visit: www.orrastrodrawing.com
A View of Stellar Complexity
In a somewhat isolated section of Perseus approximately four-degrees east of the California Nebula and two-degrees south are three relatively obvious stars which dominate the field of view in a small to moderate-sized amateur telescope. The northern most star V590 is a variable star. It also goes by the name of Struve 533 indicating it is a double star. The middle star, 55 Persei, is a single blue-white star while the most southern of the three stars, 56 Persei (also known as Struve 81) is a Multiple Star System (at least three known stars and possibly four).
Stars come in many sizes, luminosities, and colors. They are born, age and die. They are born in groups but often do not stay with their stellar siblings but move away from their birthplace as lone stars (like our sun) or in small gravitationally bound pairs or multiples. Each star is just not a star -- but a unique story in and of itself.
These three stars reflect the complexity contained in the stars. The primary star of V590 pulses in size and brightness and shines light-blue while its companion is a more subdued orange color. The middle star (55 Persei) is a brilliant bright blue single star while the equally bright yellow southern star (56 Persei) is a multiple star of which only its brightest companion can be seen in my refractor -- it is a white dwarf – a highly dense cinder of a dying star whose internal nuclear force has long been extinguished.
Through the telescope these three stars may look similar, but each is a study of its own. The same goes for all the other one-hundred billion stars in just our home galaxy (one galaxy of two trillion in the visible universe). Looks like that alone is justification (as if I need it) to spend some additional time at the telescope.
To see additional astronomy drawings visit: www.orrastrodrawing.com