When is the best time to observe Elgafar?

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

Where is Elgafar located in the sky?

Elgafar lies in the constellation Virgo at right ascension 14h 28m and declination -02° 14′.

What telescope do I need to split Elgafar?

Splitting Elgafar requires an aperture of roughly 80 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 5.2″ at magnitudes near 4.8. The companion is about 5.2 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Elgafar — Double Star in Virgo

HIP 70755; Phi Virginis; 105 Virginis

Magnitude 4.8^m DoubleStar Virgo (Vir) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

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1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.81

Spectral Type G2IV subgiant

Star Color Orange (B-V 0.70)

Distance 69 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 14h 28m 12.1s

Dec -02° 13' 41.0"

Constellation Virgo (Vir)

HR 5409

HIP 70755

HD 126868

SAO 139951

Bayer Phi

Flamsteed 105 Vir

Double Cat 9273

SIMBAD Wikipedia

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.8 mag Companion 10.0 mag Separation 5.2″

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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.	Hard+	Hard+	Hard+
Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm	Medium+	Medium+	Medium+

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 Triple C: optical

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 5.2″

Companion Mag 10.0

Position Angle 111°

Star Colors A: Orange

Discoverer STF1846

Notes

AB binary. Combined mag., colors.

Separation over time

Measured 1827 → 2016 (189 y)

Separation drift 4.0" → 5.2" (+1.20")

Rate +0.0063" / y

PA drift 125° → 111° (-14°, -0.074°/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.