When is the best time to observe AE Aurigae?

AE Aurigae is best observed from November through January, with peak visibility during December when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is AE Aurigae located in the sky?

AE Aurigae lies in the constellation Auriga at right ascension 05h 16m and declination +34° 19′.

What telescope do I need to split AE Aurigae?

Splitting AE Aurigae requires an aperture of roughly 80 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 8.8″ at magnitudes near 6.0. The companion is about 3.1 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

AE Aurigae — Double Star in Auriga

Magnitude 5.8–6.1^m DoubleStar Auriga (Aur) Visible

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1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.96

Range 5.78 - 6.08

Variable Type INA

Spectral Type O9.5V

Star Color Blue (B-V 0.22) (reddened by dust)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 05h 16m 18.2s

Dec +34° 18' 43.0"

Constellation Auriga (Aur)

HR 1712

HIP 24575

HD 34078

SAO 57816

Variable ID AE Aur

Double Cat 3843

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.0 mag Companion 9.1 mag Separation 8.8″

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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

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Best season Nov – Jan (peak: Dec)

5Multiple Star System Triple C: optical

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 8.8″

Companion Mag 9.1

Companion Sp A

Position Angle 355°

Star Colors A: Blue (reddened by dust) B: Yellow-white

Discoverer SEI 136

Notes

Component B doubtful, possibly the nebula. C 10.7V at 30".

Eyepiece View

Telescope Eyepiece

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80x Dawes: 1.9″ TFOV: 0.6°

Seeing

Scale Realistic = true angular size

A: 6.0 · B: 9.1 · Sep: 8.8″ · PA: 355° · N up, E right

Resolved · Rayleigh: 2.3″ · Dawes: 1.9″ · Eff: 2.3″

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6

Size Comparison

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8

Spectral Classification

9

Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

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10

Stellar Lifecycle

11

Blackbody Spectrum

12

Stellar Absorption Spectrum

Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.

13

Stellar Fusion

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14Stellar Notes

Variable Star

ADS 3843A, Ina 5.78 - 6.08V. Possibly a SN 2.5 million yrs. ago.

Group/Cluster

Runaway star from Ori OB1 association. Moving at 128k/s in opposite direction from Mu Col = HR 1996. See HR 938. | Exciting star of HII region S229; associated with nebula IC 405. S229 superimposed on S230. In reflection nebula. The | best example of nebulosity in which the gas and dust are differently distributed.

Spectral

Central Balmer emission in blue-violet only.