So that I’m not totally plagiarizing that 1977 article (can you plagiarize your own writing?), let me add the faint Struve pair
Σ 196. This magnitude 9.4 and 10.2 duo (21" separation) is conveniently positioned immediately south of a 6th-magnitude star that lies 1½° east of Sheratan.
For you fans of faint fuzzies, I’ll throw in the
Fiddlehead Galaxy (NGC 772), which glows at magnitude 10.3. A challenge for small scopes and even larger ones under moderately light-polluted skies, it appears as a faint, slightly elliptical smudge with a bright nucleus. You’ll find it in an area 1½° east and slightly south of Mesarthim.
Finally, something for you variable star observers. Just 5' east of 6th-magnitude 21 Arietis — found by star-hopping from 14 Arietis, past 16 Arietis to 20 Arietis, and then dropping ¾° south — is the Mira-type variable
R Arietis. It varies from magnitude 7 or 8 at maximum brightness to 13 or 14 at minimum over an average cycle of six months.
Based on past behavior, the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) predicts that, as this issue goes to press, R Arietis should be on the rise to an early December maximum. Should you wish to monitor this activity, you can obtain free printable charts complete with notated magnitudes of nearby comparison stars at the AAVSO website (
www.aavso.org).
Under “Observing” on the main page, scroll down to “Variable Star Charts” and across to “Variable Star Plotter” (VSP). At the VSP page, type in “R Ari” in the name/designation box, and select “A” as your chart scale option. Press “Plot Chart” to create a 15°-wide finder chart (north up) that includes Hamal, Sheratan, and Mesarthim. Use the “B” scale option for a 3°-wide chart to help you monitor R Arietis in the months ahead.
Questions, comments, or suggestions? Email me at
gchaple@hotmail.com. Next month: We crater-hop to “Mutus X.” Clear skies!