Double Delight

Epsilon Perseus
By Wade V. Corbei

Epsilon Perseus

Here is a simple Double Star (and another I never knew about until dilly-dallying with the COL). I don’t know if this is normal for the primary star, but on the night I observed this double, there was a large halo surrounding the star in addition to the diffraction spikes.

I have noticed that there are times when some stars have a halo or diffraction spikes (although I think this is the only time I have seen both at the same time, I’ll have to check my notes); and other times they have none.

Is this a result of weather/atmospheric conditions by chance. It seems as if I notice these oddities when it is getting damp or dewey.