December 17 | Leap | Leap+1 | Leap+2 | Leap+3 |
1950 | M6 SCO | M6 SCO | M6 SCO | |
56 Omicron SER | 56 Omicron SER | 56 Omicron SER | 56 Omicron SER | |
2000 | 55 Xi SER | 55 Xi SER | ||
M6 SCO | M6 SCO | M6 SCO | M6 SCO | |
56 Omicron SER | 56 Omicron SER | 56 Omicron SER |
In some cases you have a choice of stars for this date. Remember that a brighter star has a smaller magnitude number, if that is your choice.
Name: 55 Xi SER
Birthday from Jack’s initial research: Dec 16
Magnitude: 3.5
Spectrum/Star type: Light yellow giant
Distance in Light Years: 105
Diameter compared to Sun: 2
Luminosity compared to Sun: 15
Date best observed: Jul 31
Additional information: A Zodiac star in the Tail of the Serpent! The Chinese call it Nan Hae, “Southern Sea”. It is a double star. Serpens is the only constellation divided into two parts-Head and Tail. It is separated by Ophiuchus.
Name: Messier 6, SCO
Birthday from Jack’s initial research: Dec 16
Magnitude: 4.2, integrated magnitude for the cluster
Spectrum/Star type: Mostly Blue stars, younger than the Pleiades.
Distance in Light Years: 1500
Date best observed: Jul 31
Additional information: A cluster of stars, number 6 in Messier’s Catalog of objects he would not confuse with a comet. Robert Burnham Jr. in his wonderful catalog described it as a “butterfly with open wings”, The Butterfly Cluster.
Name: 56 Omicron SER
Birthday from Jack’s initial research: Dec 17
Magnitude: 4.3
Spectrum/Star type: White
Distance in Light Years: 170
Diameter compared to Sun: ~2x
Luminosity compared to Sun: 30x
Date best observed: Aug 1
Additional information: It is a double star, outside of the zodiac in the tail of the Serpent. Serpens is the only constellation divided into two parts-Head and Tail. It is separated by Ophiuchus.