Andrew Cooper
Nov 7, 2020    Waikoloa, HI (map)
20cm f/6 Newtonian, Cave Astrola @ 76x
Seeing: 7 Transparency: 6 Moon: 0%

65 Psc is a splendid binary with a pair of well matched 6th magnitude stars 4.3" apart, 65Psc B is the northwestern member while 65Psc A is the southeastern

Gaia DR2 data shows a good match in parallax and proper motion data indicating a binary system

Captain William Henry Smyth
Mar 4, 1837    No. 6 The Crescent, Bedford, England (map)
150mm f/17.6 refractor by Tully 1827

A close double star, which, though classed in Pisces, is placed by the map artists on the right arm of Andromeda; where it may be struck upon about half-way between π and η. A 6, and B 7. both pale yellow. This fine object was discovered by William Herschel, who registered it thus: Pos. 300°57' Dist. 4".00± Ep. 1783.15

He again measured its position in 1802, when the results seemed to warrant the assumption of a slow retrograde orbital motion; but this is not confirmed by the later observations. Piazzi, who made A the companion, merely records it, " Duplex. Comes sequitur ad Austrum:" but it has been closely examined by H. S. Σ. and D. By assembling the observations in one view, John Herschel arrived at the conclusion that the decrease might be 0°.117 per annum; and supposing the star to revolve uniformly in a circle, its period would be 3077 years. My measures, however, drawn through a similar comparison, yield only -0°.06 per annum, and infer an anmis magnus of a much longer period.

While these sheets are in the press, it is announced that Flamsteed's next star, 66 Piscium, is detected double in the gigantic Poulkova refractor; the components being 6th and 7th magnitudes, and half a second of space asunder.

― A Cycle of Celestial Objects Vol II, The Bedford Catalogue, William Henry Smyth, 1844

Drawings, descriptions, and CCD photos are copyright Andrew Cooper unless otherwise noted, no usage without permission.

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