When is the best time to observe Alrakis?

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

Where is Alrakis located in the sky?

Alrakis lies in the constellation Draco at right ascension 17h 05m and declination +54° 28′.

What telescope do I need to split Alrakis?

Splitting Alrakis requires an aperture of roughly 100 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 2.7″ at magnitudes near 5.8. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Alrakis — Double Star in Draco

HIP 83608; Mu Draconis; 21 Draconis

Observable Double Star Excellent (61/100)

Sep: 2.7", Companion: mag 5.7

Magnitude 5.8^m DoubleStar Draco (Dra) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.80

Spectral Type F7V

Star Color Yellow (B-V 0.48)

Distance 71 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 17h 05m 19.7s

Dec +54° 28' 13.0"

Constellation Draco (Dra)

HR 6370

HIP 83608

HD 154906

Bayer Mu

Flamsteed 21 Dra

Double Cat 10345

SIMBAD Wikipedia

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.8 mag Companion 5.7 mag Separation 2.7″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Hard+	Hard+	Hard+
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 2.7″

Companion Mag 5.7

Position Angle 354°

Star Colors A: Yellow B: Yellow

Discoverer STF2130

Notes

AB 5.65, 5.70, combined spectrum F7V, 672y, a = 3.945" or 472.07y, a = 3.143", masses 1.3, 1.3 solar. Combined colors. | Mag. for blend, 4.92V. C, 13v at 14" physical: revolution about AB on order 4000y.