Some suggested stars for the next few months

Hello Visual Observers,

David Gray asked if I would write a list of suggested stars for this time of year. I picked all of these because there is a bright star (or 2) on the chart to make them easy to find, for you star hoppers like me. Some will go dimmer than the range of your scope for part of their cycle, so if you do not see it, report it on WebObs as "dimmer than", by checking the box. Put the dimmest comp star you observe in the box for your estimate, them check "dimmer than".

Use the VSP chart plotter to make charts. My suggestions are for newtonian reflectors, so South is at top of chart, and East is at right. If you have a refractor with diagonal or a schmidt/cas, use Reversed charts. Just remember that the bright stars I make comments on will be at different positons, since on Reversed charts North is at top and East is to right.

When I say use both "b" and "d" charts, that means when the star is in its brighter range, say down to about 11.0 mag, use the "b", below 11.0 use the "d" chart. I like to set my own dimmest mag on VSP. Normally "b" will go to 11.0 comp stars. I set it to 11.5. The "d" will take you to the 14.0 to 14.5 range.  

1. RV Her range 9.0-15.5 Eta Her is the bright star on the "b" chart. Use both "b" and "d" charts.

2. R Oph 7.0-13.8 Eta Oph is 2.4 mag star on the "b" chart. Use both "b" and "d" charts. 

3. RS Her 7.0-13.0 #73 Her is the 5.7 star on the "b". Use both "b" and "d".

4. T Dra 7.2-13.5 Xi Dra is the 3.8 star on "b".  Use"b" and "d". Be very careful, there is another variable almost touching T. Identify is carefully. In fact, when dim, I would even print off an "e" chart so you identify the correct variable.

5. T Her 6.8-13.7 5.0 to upper left is #99 Her, 5.0 to lower right is #104 Her on "b" chart. Use "b" and "d" charts. I love this star and the next, because they are actually on chart same chart, but the next, TV Her is not identified, so print off seperate charts for TV.

6. TV Her 6.8-13.7 The "b" chart has #104 Her left of center. Use both "b" and "d" charts.

7. W Lyr, also one of my favorites. 7.3-13.0 Kapa Lyr is bright star at right on the "b" chart. Use the "b" and "d".

8. RT Dra 9.6-13.8 Chi Dra is 3.6 star at center. RT is right next to it. Use "d" chart.

9. RV Lyr 9.0-15.6 Beta Lyr is in upper right of the "b" chart. Use both "b" and "d" charts.

10. U Dra 9.1-14.6 Delta Dra is the 3.1 star on the "d" chart. Use the "d" chart.

11. U Lyr 8.3-13.5 Theta Lyr is the upper 4.4 star on the "b" chart, Eta Lyr is lower 4th mag star. Use "b" and "d" charts.

12. R Cyg 6.1-14.4 Theta Cyg is at center of "b" chart. R is right next to Theta. Use "b" and "d" charts. You are now entering the Milky Way, so be careful with identification on "d" chart, the field will be loaded with stars.

13. RT Cyg 6.0-13.1 Theta Cyg at lower left of "b" chart. Use "b" and "d". Same comment about Milky Way. On the old charts before VSP, R and RT were on the same "b" charts.

Have fun with these 13 stars. Let me know how you do. A little later this summer I will give you some really nice stars.

Chris Stephan

Robert Clyde Observatory

Sebring, Florida  USA