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(Posted 11/14/2019)

By: Steve Goldberg

Asterism: a grouping of stars that form a recognizable pattern.

Constellation: Ursa Minor
Right Ascension:  02h 49m 00.0s
Declination: +88o 54’ 00”
Magnitude: 2 to 9
Size:  40’
 

This month’s asterism is called the “Engagement Ring”. If you noticed the Declination, +88o, you should have thought that it is pretty far north. Well, Polaris is the “diamond” on the ring.

This is a binocular object instead of a telescope object. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here you can see the stars that make up the ring. They are “above” Polaris in this picture.

If you use a telescope, can you see the companion to Polaris? It is a double star system. When aligning my optics on my telescope, I look for the companion to verify I am on Polaris.