When is the best time to observe AL Sculptoris?

AL Sculptoris is best observed from August through October, with peak visibility during September when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is AL Sculptoris located in the sky?

AL Sculptoris lies in the constellation Sculptor at right ascension 23h 55m and declination -31° 55′.

What telescope do I need to split AL Sculptoris?

Splitting AL Sculptoris requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 133.9″ at magnitudes near 6.1. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

AL Sculptoris — Double Star in Sculptor

DoubleStar Sculptor (Scl) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.10

Range 6.06 - 6.33

Period 2.4 days

Variable Type Eclipsing Binary (Algol-type)

Spectral Type B6V

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.08)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 23h 55m 16.6s

Dec -31° 55' 18.0"

Constellation Sculptor (Scl)

HR 9049

HIP 117931

HD 224113

Variable ID AL Scl

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.1 mag Companion 6.8 mag Separation 133.9″

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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 Aug – Oct (peak: Sep)

5Light Curve

6Multiple Star System

Separation 133.9″

Companion Mag 6.8

Companion Sp B8V

Position Angle 1°

Star Colors A: Blue-white B: Blue-white

Discoverer SKF 760

Separation over time

Measured 1751 → 2015 (264 y)

Separation drift 132.5" → 133.9" (+1.40")

Rate +0.0053" / y

PA drift 5° → 1° (-4°, -0.015°/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.