The table of double stars contains orbital data for double star systems in the table
of bright stars which fit the following criteria:
the pair contains the primary star, components have a separation > 3.0" and differential visual magnitude
< 3 magnitudes. A few other systems of interest are also present. Data given are the most recent measure except
where predicted positions are given based on orbit or rectilinear motion calculations.
The list was provided by Brian Mason and taken from the
Washington Double Star Catalog
(WDS, Mason, B.D. et al.,Astron. Jour., 122, 3466, 2001).
The positions are for those of the primary stars and taken directly from
the table of bright stars. The ''primary'' is not necessarily the brighter object, but designates
which object is the origin of measurements. The Discoverer Designation
contains the reference for the measurement from the WDS and the Epoch
column gives the year of the measurement. The visual magnitude of the primary is Tycho V-band
except where indicated by an asterisk. The relative magnitude in the
visual band between the two components is also given.