When is the best time to observe 2 Vulpeculae?

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

Where is 2 Vulpeculae located in the sky?

2 Vulpeculae lies in the constellation Vulpecula at right ascension 19h 18m and declination +23° 02′.

What telescope do I need to split 2 Vulpeculae?

Splitting 2 Vulpeculae requires an aperture of roughly 210 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 1.8″ at magnitudes near 5.4. The companion is about 3.3 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

2 Vulpeculae — Double Star in Vulpecula

Observable Double Star Fair (24/100)

Sep: 1.8", Companion: mag 8.8

Magnitude 5.4^m DoubleStar Vulpecula (Vul) Visible

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1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.43

Variable Type Beta Cephei (Pulsating)

Spectral Type B0.5IV subgiant

Star Color White (B-V 0.02)

Distance 466 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 19h 17m 43.6s

Dec +23° 01' 32.0"

Constellation Vulpecula (Vul)

HR 7318

HIP 94827

HD 180968

SAO 87036

Flamsteed 2 Vul

Variable ID ES Vul

Double Cat 12287

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.4 mag Companion 8.8 mag Separation 1.8″

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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 Triple

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 1.8″

Companion Mag 8.8

Position Angle 128°

Star Colors A: White B: Yellow

Discoverer BU 248

Notes

AB binary.

Separation over time

Measured 1875 → 2015 (140 y)

Separation drift 1.9" → 1.8" (-0.10")

Rate -0.0007" / y

PA drift 125° → 128° (+3°, +0.021°/y)

Essentially fixed on human timescales — the same view your grandchildren will see.

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.