When is the best time to observe 61 Ophiuchi?

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

Where is 61 Ophiuchi located in the sky?

61 Ophiuchi lies in the constellation Ophiuchus at right ascension 17h 45m and declination +02° 35′.

What telescope do I need to split 61 Ophiuchi?

Splitting 61 Ophiuchi requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 20.6″ at magnitudes near 6.2. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

61 Ophiuchi — Double Star in Ophiuchus

Magnitude 6.2^m DoubleStar Ophiuchus (Oph) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.17

Spectral Type A1IV-V subgiant

Star Color White (B-V 0.07)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 17h 44m 34.0s

Dec +02° 34' 46.0"

Constellation Ophiuchus (Oph)

HR 6609

HIP 86831

HD 161270

SAO 122690

Flamsteed 61 Oph

Double Cat 10750

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.2 mag Companion 6.5 mag Separation 20.6″

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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 May – Jul (peak: Jun)

5Multiple Star System Triple

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 20.6″

Companion Mag 6.5

Position Angle 93°

Star Colors A: White B: White

Discoverer STF2202

Notes

CPM with HR 6610. Combined colors. Mag. for blend 5.59V.

Separation over time

Measured 1777 → 2024 (247 y)

Separation drift 19.0" → 20.6" (+1.60")

Rate +0.0065" / y

PA drift 102° → 93° (-9°, -0.036°/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.