When is the best time to observe 6 Leonis?

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

Where is 6 Leonis located in the sky?

6 Leonis lies in the constellation Leo at right ascension 09h 32m and declination +09° 43′.

What telescope do I need to split 6 Leonis?

Splitting 6 Leonis requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 37.1″ at magnitudes near 5.1. The companion is about 4.2 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

6 Leonis — Double Star in Leo

Magnitude 5.1^m DoubleStar Leo Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.07

Spectral Type K2.5IIIbFe-0.5 bright giant

Star Color Red (B-V 1.37)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 09h 31m 57.6s

Dec +09° 42' 57.0"

Constellation Leo

HR 3779

HIP 46774

HD 82381

SAO 117751

Flamsteed 6 Leo

Double Cat 7416

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.1 mag Companion 9.3 mag Separation 37.1″

Sign in and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.

Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Easy	Medium+	Medium
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

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Jan – Mar (peak: Feb)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 37.1″

Companion Mag 9.3

Position Angle 77°

Star Colors A: Red

Discoverer SHJ 107

Notes

Companion 9.54V, +0.44(B-V), +0.03(U-B), F6V.

Separation over time

Measured 1781 → 2018 (237 y)

Separation drift 35.8" → 37.1" (+1.30")

Rate +0.0055" / y

PA drift 77° → 77° (+0°, +0.000°/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.