When is the best time to observe 1 Vulpeculae?

1 Vulpeculae is best observed from June through August, with peak visibility during July when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is 1 Vulpeculae located in the sky?

1 Vulpeculae lies in the constellation Vulpecula at right ascension 19h 16m and declination +21° 23′.

What telescope do I need to split 1 Vulpeculae?

Splitting 1 Vulpeculae requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 39.1″ at magnitudes near 4.8. The companion is about 6.8 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

1 Vulpeculae — Double Star in Vulpecula

Magnitude 4.8^m DoubleStar Vulpecula (Vul) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.77

Spectral Type B4IV subgiant

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.05)

Distance 192 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 19h 16m 13.0s

Dec +21° 23' 25.0"

Constellation Vulpecula (Vul)

HR 7306

HIP 94703

HD 180554

SAO 87010

Flamsteed 1 Vul

Double Cat 12243

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.8 mag Companion 11.6 mag Separation 39.1″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Hard	V. hard+	V. hard
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Medium	Medium	Hard+
Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm	Medium+	Medium	Medium

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

4Visibility

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Best season Jun – Aug (peak: Jul)

5Multiple Star System Triple

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 39.1″

Companion Mag 11.6

Position Angle 12°

Star Colors A: Blue-white B: Yellow-white

Discoverer HJ 2862

Separation over time

Measured 1830 → 2013 (183 y)

Separation drift 25.0" → 39.1" (+14.10")

Rate +0.0770" / y

PA drift 11° → 12° (+1°, +0.005°/y)

Apparent motion is significant on a human timescale — worth revisiting in a decade.

Measured from the WDS observational archive. No orbital solution has been derived — most likely the period is too long to fit an orbit to the available measurement arc.