Mizar and Alcor (Double Stars)
Published on 26 Apr 2010 at 00:00.
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Filed under Constellation,Stars.
Monday 26th April 2010 @ 22:00 / 10pm
In both Ireland and Great Britain, this pattern is known as the Plough.
View the middle star of the Great Bear’s tail – it’s the visual double star (Mizar and Alcor).
Of the seven stars that make up the Plough in the constellation of Ursa Major (The Great Bear), the most famous might be Mizar:- Tonight at 22:00 / 10pm to find it, look first for the Plough or the Big Dipper in your northeastern sky.
At nightfall, note that the three stars comprising the handle stand upright over the bowl.
Mizar and Alcor, the middle handle star, shines one star down from Alkaid, the star showing the end of the handle.
See the SkyMap for tonight, but the double stars is visible all nights – all the year.
Click here for enlarge above image.
