My Favorite Winter Binocular Variables

Hello Visual Observers,

I'd like to take a few moments to share with you some of my favorite Winter binocular stars. I have followed these for years and they are a treat when this time of season returns.

BU Tau in the Pleiades. 5.0-5.3 though the range may be a bit more in visual. You couldn't ask for a prettier star field.

W Ori- 5.5-6.9 SR star. This star gets very red at or near maximum light. Use out of focus or quick glance methods.

CK Ori- my own experience gives it a visual range of 6.0-6.4

W CMa- 6.2-7.0 SR. Nice star in the Milky Way. If you are still using the OLD chart from 10 or more years ago, make a new one from the VSP. The old chart had terrible comp stars and I questioned if a few of them applied to the correct comp star.

U Mon- 5.5-7.7. This is in a nice geometric star pattern.

Don't forget a few naked eye stars like Betelguese and Eta Gem.

Have fun with these. I think you will agree that these are nice, easy stars to observe.

Good Observing.

Chris Stephan   SET

Robert Clyde Observatory

Sebring, Florida