When is the best time to observe 54 Leonis?

54 Leonis is best observed from January through March, with peak visibility during February when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is 54 Leonis located in the sky?

54 Leonis lies in the constellation Leo at right ascension 10h 56m and declination +24° 45′.

What telescope do I need to split 54 Leonis?

Splitting 54 Leonis requires an aperture of roughly 80 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 6.9″ at magnitudes near 4.5. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

54 Leonis — Double Star in Leo

Observable Double Star Excellent (60/100)

Sep: 6.9", Companion: mag 6.3

Magnitude 4.5^m DoubleStar Leo Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.50

Spectral Type A1V

Star Color White (B-V 0.01)

Distance 217 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 10h 55m 36.8s

Dec +24° 44' 59.0"

Constellation Leo

HR 4259

HIP 53417

HD 94601

SAO 81583

Flamsteed 54 Leo

Double Cat 7979

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.5 mag Companion 6.3 mag Separation 6.9″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Easy	Easy	Easy
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Easy	Easy	Easy
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 Jan – Mar (peak: Feb)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 6.9″

Companion Mag 6.3

Companion Sp A2Vn

Position Angle 111°

Star Colors A: White B: White

Discoverer STF1487

Notes

Binary with HR 4260. Colors for combined light. Blended mag. 4.32V.

Separation over time

Measured 1777 → 2023 (246 y)

Separation drift 6.0" → 6.9" (+0.90")

Rate +0.0037" / y

PA drift 105° → 111° (+6°, +0.024°/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.