When is the best time to observe 19 Ophiuchi?

19 Ophiuchi is best observed from April through June, with peak visibility during May when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is 19 Ophiuchi located in the sky?

19 Ophiuchi lies in the constellation Ophiuchus at right ascension 16h 47m and declination +02° 04′.

What telescope do I need to split 19 Ophiuchi?

Splitting 19 Ophiuchi requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 24.0″ at magnitudes near 6.1. The companion is about 3.6 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

19 Ophiuchi — Double Star in Ophiuchus

Magnitude 6.1^m DoubleStar Ophiuchus (Oph) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.10

Spectral Type A3V

Star Color White (B-V 0.14)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 16h 47m 09.8s

Dec +02° 03' 52.0"

Constellation Ophiuchus (Oph)

HR 6232

HIP 82162

HD 151431

SAO 121859

Flamsteed 19 Oph

Double Cat 10207

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.1 mag Companion 9.7 mag Separation 24.0″

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

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

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

4Visibility

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Best season Apr – Jun (peak: May)

5Multiple Star System Triple C: optical

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 24.0″

Companion Mag 9.7

Position Angle 88°

Star Colors A: White B: Yellow

Discoverer STF2096

Separation over time

Measured 1783 → 2024 (241 y)

Separation drift 20.5" → 24.0" (+3.50")

Rate +0.0145" / y

PA drift 93° → 88° (-5°, -0.021°/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.