Andrew Cooper
Sep 5, 2022    Waikoloa, HI (map)
28cm f/10 SCT, NexStar 11" GyPSy @ 127x
Seeing: 4 Transparency: 7 Moon: 0%

Brilliant pale orange, no companion noted

Captain William Henry Smyth
Nov 25, 1833    No. 6 The Crescent, Bedford, England (map)
150mm f/17.6 refractor by Tully 1827

A star with a distant companion, pointed out by a south-east line from γ Pegasi through ο Ceti, when it can be seen, and carried about 12° beyond; where it forms an oblique-angled triangle with ε and π Ceti. A 3, pale yellow, and not of a brightness corresponding to its rated magnitude; B 10, cinereous, being the nearest of a triangle of three small stars in the nf quadrant. This object is pretty close to the Whale's chest in the reach or bend of the River; and is known under the name of Az-ha, by an easily-made error of transcription from the Arabic word Udh-ha, a little nest; it being among the stars which were anciently called the Ostriches. The proper motion of A has been stated by

    P....  RA +0".16  Dec. -0".30
    B....     +0".12       -0".22
    A....     +0".09       -0".23
   [Hipparcos +0".07736    -0".22016]

― 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