Posted on 01/09/2006 10:07:02 PM PST by neverdem
In a sort of related thing, being what can be seen, the four biggest satellites of Jupiter were seen, eyes only, by a tribe with really good eyes in Siberia, that is, they knew of Jupiter's moons before the news of Galileo's telescope ever got to them. Also, there is a ring around Jupiter, like Saturn's rings but not nearly so bright, as reported by a backyard amateur astronomer in the late 50s in Sky & Telescope. This ring can barely be made out by Hubble.
Most of the stars you see in the night sky are double starts that orbit each other. That is why you can see them.
It is very common for stars to attach themselves to other stars.
I'm married to a Russian lady, but I have never been to Siberia. I have been to Alaska, and can appreciate that you can see far more in the night sky there than in the lower 49. I'm not totally surprised they could see these features in Siberia.
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