When is the best time to observe Beta Apodis?

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

Where is Beta Apodis located in the sky?

Beta Apodis lies in the constellation Apus at right ascension 16h 43m and declination -77° 31′.

What telescope do I need to split Beta Apodis?

Splitting Beta Apodis requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 98.3″ at magnitudes near 4.2. The companion is about 7.8 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Beta Apodis — Double Star in Apus

Magnitude 4.2^m DoubleStar Apus (Aps) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.24

Spectral Type K0III giant

Star Color Orange (B-V 1.06)

Distance 96 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 16h 43m 04.6s

Dec -77° 31' 03.0"

Constellation Apus (Aps)

HR 6163

HIP 81852

HD 149324

SAO 257424

Bayer Beta

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.2 mag Companion 12.0 mag Separation 98.3″

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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.	Medium	Hard+	Hard
Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm	Medium+	Medium	Hard+

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

4Visibility

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Best season Apr – Jun (peak: May)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 98.3″

Companion Mag 12.0

Position Angle 55°

Star Colors A: Orange

Discoverer HJ 4858

Separation over time

Measured 1835 → 2016 (181 y)

Separation drift 20.0" → 98.3" (+78.30")

Rate +0.4326" / y

PA drift 105° → 55° (-50°, -0.276°/y)

Apparent motion is significant on a human timescale — worth revisiting in a decade.

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.