When is the best time to observe Alula Australis?

Alula Australis is best observed from February through April, with peak visibility during March when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Alula Australis located in the sky?

Alula Australis lies in the constellation Ursa Major at right ascension 11h 18m and declination +31° 32′.

What telescope do I need to split Alula Australis?

Splitting Alula Australis requires an aperture of roughly 100 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 2.7″ at magnitudes near 4.4. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Alula Australis — Double Star in Ursa Major

HR 4375; Xi Ursae Majoris; 53 Ursae Majoris

Observable Double Star Excellent (67/100)

Sep: 2.7", Companion: mag 4.8

Magnitude 4.4^m DoubleStar Ursa Major (UMa) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.41

Spectral Type G0V

Star Color Yellow (B-V 0.59)

Distance 24 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 11h 18m 11.0s

Dec +31° 31' 45.0"

Constellation Ursa Major (UMa)

HR 4375

HD 98231

Bayer Xi

Flamsteed 53 UMa

Double Cat 8119

Wikipedia

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.4 mag Companion 4.8 mag Separation 2.7″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Medium	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 Feb – Apr (peak: Mar)

5Multiple Star System Quadruple

Components 4 (quadruple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 2.7″

Companion Mag 4.8

Companion Sp G9V

Position Angle 135°

Star Colors A: Yellow B: Orange

Discoverer STF1523

Notes

AB 4.32 G0V, 4.79 G0V, 59.840y, a = 2.530". Combined colors. Mag. for blend 3.79V. AB, first visual double for which an | orbit determined, in 1828 by Savary. Third component astrometric with A, 1.832y, a = 0.055".