Thursday, April 12, 2018

all this beauty

A Google search lead me directly to a PDF article on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association web site called "Observing Double Stars." The overall tone of this piece is like how I presented things in my recent RASC TC double star presentation. The author (not identified) begins:
Some of the most beautiful and intriguing objects in the night sky are not enshrouded in nebulosity, shaped like rings or dumbbells or eagles, or crossed by mysterious lanes of dark, cosmic dust.
While I like faint fuzzies, doubles offer glittering gems with real colours.
Tracking down and observing double stars can be like going on a nocturnal treasure hunt.
Well put, if I may say so.

Then, later, the author laments.
With all this beauty and interest going for them, you would think double star observing is one of the most popular aspects of amateur astronomy.  And yet, although this facet of amateur astronomy has a respectable number of participants, it does not currently enjoy as much popularity as it has in years past.
This, while sad, is affirming. I'm not the only one who feels this way. Why are double stars not popular today?

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