Andrew Cooper
Sep 5, 2022    Waikoloa, HI (map)
28cm f/10 SCT, NexStar 11" GyPSy @ 233x
Seeing: 4 Transparency: 7 Moon: 0%

Brilliant orange, a 10th magnitude 6" companion not visible in poor seeing

Captain William Henry Smyth
Nov 25, 1836    No. 6 The Crescent, Bedford, England (map)
150mm f/17.6 refractor by Tully 1827

A bright star with a distant companion, in the second reach of the River; being one of no fewer than nine stars designated by the letter τ in Bayer's Map of Eridanus. A 3½, light orange; B 11, greyish.

This object is in a barren field, and the large star seems overrated, since it appeared more than once diminished to nearly a 5th-magnitude; but the lowness of its position renders the case doubtful, from variable refraction. A lengthy line projected from α Arietis through γ Ceti, and from thence carried by η Eridani to 16° beyond, will strike upon τ⁴.

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

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