When is the best time to observe 13 Vulpeculae?

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

Where is 13 Vulpeculae located in the sky?

13 Vulpeculae lies in the constellation Vulpecula at right ascension 19h 53m and declination +24° 05′.

What telescope do I need to split 13 Vulpeculae?

Splitting 13 Vulpeculae requires an aperture of roughly 210 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 1.5″ at magnitudes near 4.6. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

13 Vulpeculae — Double Star in Vulpecula

Observable Double Star Fair (27/100)

Sep: 1.5", Companion: mag 7.4

Magnitude 4.6^m DoubleStar Vulpecula (Vul) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.58

Spectral Type B9.5III giant

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.06)

Distance 362 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 19h 53m 27.7s

Dec +24° 04' 47.0"

Constellation Vulpecula (Vul)

HR 7592

HIP 97886

HD 188260

SAO 87883

Flamsteed 13 Vul

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.6 mag Companion 7.4 mag Separation 1.5″

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

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

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

To reach "Medium" at Bortle 3, you'd need at least a 210 mm reflector.

4Visibility

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Best season Jun – Aug (peak: Jul)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 1.5″

Companion Mag 7.4

Position Angle 245°

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

Discoverer DJU 4

Separation over time

Measured 1953 → 2021 (68 y)

Separation drift 0.80" → 1.5" (+0.70")

Rate +0.0103" / y

PA drift 242° → 245° (+3°, +0.044°/y)

Slow change over generations — observable in lifetime comparisons.

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.