Andrew Cooper
Oct 20, 2023    Waikoloa, HI (map)
20cm f/6 Newtonian, Cave Astrola @ 76x
Seeing: 6 Transparency: 7 Moon: 0%

Orange, no companion noted, the delicate double Σ 196 is 3' south

Oddly HR 577 is listed in WDS as the D component of Σ 196 when in fact this 6th magnitude star is much further away than the 9/10th magnitude pair with a parallax of 9.4mas compared to about 15mas for the WDS A and B components

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

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