Sirius B at widest Separation (astropical)

Sirius B at widest Separation

Revision title: One more Sirius B icon added

Sirius B at widest Separation

Revision title: One more Sirius B icon added

Some 8.6 light-years away in Canis Major is a star smaller than the Earth but more massive than the sun orbiting Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky once in 51 years on an highly eccentric path. This year, the separation of the white dwarf companion Sirius B is widest possible at about 11 arcseconds or, at the known distance, 31.5AU. At less separation Sirius B would be lost in the glare of Sirius in most amateur imaging optics in that this year offers opportunities for imaging.

Last night was almost clear and a near full moon outshined most stars but not Sirius. My first attempt with a DSLR without external filter exposed 6 seconds tracked at ISO200 clearly unveiled Sirius B after a little curve manipulation. Perhaps I should reduce exposure to 3 seconds in that Sirius' glare does not extend that much away while fewer frames might do the trick as well. Surely the optimal parameters depend on seeing.

When focusing I noticed a spike, an optical artefact, going through bright Sirius. When the scope was out of focus I saw two spikes and when focused there was only one. This optical imperfection is a great focusing aid, simliar to using a Bathinov mask. The spike was gone in the stack file, maybe 'hazed' out.

By the way, if you travelled to Sirius comfortably at 1g you will reach 98.29% of light speed at half time distance of 4.3 light-years while upon arrival at Sirius on Earth 10.359 years would have passed your board chronometer would show that "only" 4.61 years board time have elapsed. This is not my wisdom but Einstein's theory. Remember this is one-way. Enjoy imagination.

Original
B
C
Final
D

B

Title: Image before processing

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C

Title: Your travel agenda to Sirius

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D

Title: One more Sirius B icon added

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Status	Basic failed
Started	...
Astrometry.net job	7329388
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Sirius B at widest Separation

Revision title: One more Sirius B icon added

Sirius B at widest Separation

Revision title: One more Sirius B icon added

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Sirius B at widest Separation

Revision title: One more Sirius B icon added

Sirius B at widest Separation

Revision title: One more Sirius B icon added

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