Alpha Mensae — Double Star in Mensa
Observe
1Physical Properties
Magnitude
5.09
Spectral Type
G6V
Star Color
Orange
(B-V 0.72)
Distance
28 ly
2Position & Identifiers
RA
06h 10m 14.4s
Dec
-74° 45' 11.0"
Constellation
Mensa
(Men)
HR
2261
HIP
29271
HD
43834
SAO
256274
Bayer
Alpha
Querying VizieR catalog...
3How easy to split?
Primary
5.1 mag
Companion
10.1 mag
Separation
3.3″
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| Telescope | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 mm refractor 80mm refr. | V. hard+ | V. hard+ | V. hard+ |
| 150 mm Newton 150mm Newt. | Hard | Hard | Hard |
| Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm | Hard+ | Hard+ | Hard+ |
Easy
Medium
Hard
Very hard
Impossible
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
To reach "Medium" at Bortle 3, you'd need at least a 230 mm reflector.
4Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
Best season
Nov – Jan
(peak: Dec)
5Multiple Star System
Separation
3.3″
Companion Mag
10.1
Companion Sp
M5V
Position Angle
256°
Star Colors
A: Orange
B: Red
Discoverer
EGN 5
Eyepiece View
80x
Dawes: 1.9″
TFOV: 0.6°
Realistic = true angular size
A: 5.1 · B: 10.1 · Sep: 3.3″ · PA: 256° · N up, E right
Resolved · Rayleigh: 2.3″ · Dawes: 1.9″ · Eff: 2.3″
Explore
6
Size Comparison
Querying VizieR for stellar data…
7
Compare Stars
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
Discover
14
Light Travel Time Machine
15
Relativistic Travel
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Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.
Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.
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