When is the best time to observe Delta Antliae?

Delta Antliae is best observed from January through March, with peak visibility during February when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Delta Antliae located in the sky?

Delta Antliae lies in the constellation Antlia at right ascension 10h 30m and declination -30° 36′.

What telescope do I need to split Delta Antliae?

Splitting Delta Antliae requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 10.3″ at magnitudes near 5.6. The companion is about 4.3 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Delta Antliae — Double Star in Antlia

Magnitude 5.6^m DoubleStar Antlia (Ant) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.56

Spectral Type B9.5V

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.04)

Distance 1,631 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 10h 29m 35.4s

Dec -30° 36' 26.0"

Constellation Antlia (Ant)

HR 4118

HIP 51376

HD 90972

SAO 201442

Bayer Delta

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.6 mag Companion 9.8 mag Separation 10.3″

Sign in and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.

Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Medium+	Medium	Hard+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Easy	Easy	Medium+
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

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Jan – Mar (peak: Feb)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 10.3″

Companion Mag 9.8

Position Angle 228°

Star Colors A: Blue-white B: Yellow

Discoverer H N 50

Notes

Companion F9Ve, strong lithium. Primary is SB.

Separation over time

Measured 1834 → 2017 (183 y)

Separation drift 10.0" → 10.3" (+0.30")

Rate +0.0016" / y

PA drift 235° → 228° (-7°, -0.038°/y)

Essentially fixed on human timescales — the same view your grandchildren will see.

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.