When is the best time to observe Beta Hydrae?

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

Where is Beta Hydrae located in the sky?

Beta Hydrae lies in the constellation Hydra at right ascension 11h 53m and declination -33° 54′.

What telescope do I need to split Beta Hydrae?

Splitting Beta Hydrae requires an aperture of roughly 370 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 0.6″ at magnitudes near 4.3. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Beta Hydrae — Double Star in Hydra

Magnitude 4.3^m DoubleStar Hydra (Hya) Visible

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1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.28

Variable Type Alpha2 CVn (Magnetic Rotating)

Spectral Type B9IIIpSi bright giant

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.10)

Distance 326 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 11h 52m 54.6s

Dec -33° 54' 29.0"

Constellation Hydra (Hya)

HR 4552

HIP 57936

HD 103192

SAO 202901

Bayer Beta

Variable ID Bet Hya

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.3 mag Companion 5.5 mag Separation 0.6″

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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.	V. hard+	V. hard+	V. hard+
Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm	V. hard+	V. hard+	V. 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 370 mm reflector.

4Visibility

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Best season Feb – Apr (peak: Mar)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 0.6″

Companion Mag 5.5

Position Angle 62°

Star Colors A: Blue-white B: White

Discoverer HJ 4478

Separation over time

Measured 1834 → 2023 (189 y)

Separation drift 1.7" → 0.60" (-1.10")

Rate -0.0058" / y

PA drift 340° → 62° (+82°, +0.434°/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.