When is the best time to observe Chi Centauri?

Chi Centauri is best observed from March through May, with peak visibility during April when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Chi Centauri located in the sky?

Chi Centauri lies in the constellation Centaurus at right ascension 14h 06m and declination -41° 11′.

What telescope do I need to split Chi Centauri?

Splitting Chi Centauri requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 85.2″ at magnitudes near 4.4. The companion is about 4.1 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Chi Centauri — Double Star in Centaurus

Observable Double Star Good (53/100)

Sep: 85.2", Companion: mag 8.5

Magnitude 4.4^m DoubleStar Centaurus (Cen) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.36

Spectral Type B2V

Star Color Blue (B-V -0.19)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 14h 06m 02.8s

Dec -41° 10' 47.0"

Constellation Centaurus (Cen)

HR 5285

HIP 68862

HD 122980

SAO 224673

Bayer Chi

Variable ID Chi Cen

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.4 mag Companion 8.5 mag Separation 85.2″

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

5Multiple Star System

Separation 85.2″

Companion Mag 8.5

Companion Sp K3Ve

Position Angle 78°

Star Colors A: Blue B: Orange

Discoverer WFC 145

Separation over time

Measured 1826 → 2016 (190 y)

Separation drift 77.6" → 85.2" (+7.60")

Rate +0.0400" / y

PA drift 77° → 78° (+1°, +0.005°/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.