When is the best time to observe Dziban?

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

Where is Dziban located in the sky?

Dziban lies in the constellation Draco at right ascension 17h 42m and declination +72° 09′.

What telescope do I need to split Dziban?

Splitting Dziban requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 30.2″ at magnitudes near 4.6. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Dziban — Double Star in Draco

HIP 86614; Psi1 Draconis; 31 Draconis

Observable Double Star Excellent (68/100)

Sep: 30.2", Companion: mag 5.6

Magnitude 4.6^m DoubleStar Draco (Dra) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.58

Spectral Type F5IV-V subgiant

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.42)

Distance 60 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 17h 41m 56.3s

Dec +72° 08' 56.0"

Constellation Draco (Dra)

HR 6636

HIP 86614

HD 162003

SAO 8890

Bayer Psi1

Flamsteed 31 Dra

Double Cat 10759

SIMBAD Wikipedia

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.6 mag Companion 5.6 mag Separation 30.2″

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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 May – Jul (peak: Jun)

5Multiple Star System Quadruple C,D: optical

Components 4 (quadruple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 30.2″

Companion Mag 5.6

Companion Sp F8V

Position Angle 16°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white B: Yellow

Discoverer STF2241

Notes

CPM with HR 6637, not shared with components C,D.

Separation over time

Measured 1800 → 2020 (220 y)

Separation drift 32.0" → 30.2" (-1.80")

Rate -0.0082" / y

PA drift 14° → 16° (+2°, +0.009°/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.