When is the best time to observe Beta Tucanae?

Beta Tucanae is best observed from August through October, with peak visibility during September when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Beta Tucanae located in the sky?

Beta Tucanae lies in the constellation Tucana at right ascension 00h 32m and declination -62° 57′.

What telescope do I need to split Beta Tucanae?

Splitting Beta Tucanae requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 27.1″ at magnitudes near 4.4. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Beta Tucanae — Double Star in Tucana

HIP 2484; Beta1 Tucanae

Observable Double Star Excellent (74/100)

Sep: 27.1", Companion: mag 4.5

DoubleStar Tucana (Tuc) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.37

Spectral Type B9V

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.07)

Distance 109 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 00h 31m 32.7s

Dec -62° 57' 29.0"

Constellation Tucana (Tuc)

HR 126

HIP 2484

HD 2884

Bayer Beta1

SIMBAD Wikipedia

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.4 mag Companion 4.5 mag Separation 27.1″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Easy	Easy	Easy
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 Aug – Oct (peak: Sep)

5Multiple Star System Sextuple

Components 6 (sextuple)

Component IDs AC

Separation 27.1″

Companion Mag 4.5

Companion Sp A0V

Position Angle 168°

Star Colors A: Blue-white C: Blue-white

Discoverer LCL 119

Notes

CPM with HR 127 of which both are close binaries. Also CPM with HR 136. Faint companion at 14".

Separation over time

Measured 1826 → 2021 (195 y)

Separation drift 25.0" → 27.1" (+2.10")

Rate +0.0108" / y

PA drift 173° → 168° (-5°, -0.026°/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.