Introduction
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 January 2013
Summary
We are very pleased to present what is the first major modern star atlas devoted primarily to the observation of visual double and multiple stars. With the widespread growing popularity of viewing these tinted jewels of the heavens by amateur astronomers today, the need for such a work clearly exists. The one classic atlas that identified these objects, along with their discoverers and/or catalog designations, was Norton's Star Atlas through its first 17 editions. Sadly, all later revised and redrawn versions of this atlas – initially re-titled Norton's 2000.0 and currently back to the original Norton's Star Atlas – dropped the discoverer and catalog labels (along with those of the clusters, nebulae and galaxies discovered by the Herschels) to the dismay of observers of both classes of deep-sky wonders.
It is now estimated that at least 80 percent of the stellar population exists as pairs or multiple systems of suns. Their amazing profusion, combined with a seemingly endless variety of color combinations, brightnesses, separations, and component configurations, make them fascinating objects for both leisurely viewing and serious study. Abounding as they do among the naked-eye stars, literally thousands of them are visible with even the smallest of glasses (and, in the case of the wider pairs, with binoculars as well) and on all but the very worst of nights – including those with bright moonlight, haze and heavy light pollution.
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- Information
- The Cambridge Double Star Atlas , pp. 1 - 24Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009