Andrew Cooper
Oct 20, 2023    Waikoloa, HI (map)
20cm f/6 Newtonian, Cave Astrola @ 136x
Seeing: 6 Transparency: 7 Moon: 0%

Σ 196 is a delicate 9th and 10th magnitude double found 3' south of HR 577 separated by 22", the brighter SAO 75075 is the northwestern star while SAO 75076 is to the southeast

Checking the WDS listings and Gaia EDR3 data clears up this set of stars... The 9th magnitude star observed above is SAO 75075 listed as AB in WDS, a close binary consisting of a 9.3/10.9 pair separated by 1.8" with matching parallax and proper motion, it is also the closest of the set with about 15mas parallax.

The 10th magnitude star seen 22" south of AB is SAO 75076 or C in WDS, despite the temptation to call it a member based on visual appearance this is actually a background star with a parallax of 2 mas. Oddly the 6th magnitude HR 577 3' north is listed as D of this set by WDS, it is further away than the 9th and 10th magnitude members with a parallax of 9.4mas!

Captain William Henry Smyth
Oct 16, 1836    No. 6 The Crescent, Bedford, England (map)
150mm f/17.6 refractor by Tully 1827

A quadruple star, in mid-distance between α and γ, under the Ram's ear, lying nearly at right angles with the vertical. A 6, topaz yellow; B 15, deep blue; C 10, lilac; and D 9, pale blue. This is an exquisite object, of which the three southern members form No. 196 of Σ.'s grand Catalogue, under these measures:

    Pos. AB  53°.53  Dist.  2".370  Ep 1832.42
         AC 167°.38        39".460

This group is most difficult to observe, and the results are rather estimations than measures, particularly those of AB. Still, under every disadvantage, it forms an admirable test to try the light and distinctness of a telescope.

― 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.

A complete list of credits and sources can be found on the about page