When is the best time to observe Epsilon Chamaeleontis?

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

Where is Epsilon Chamaeleontis located in the sky?

Epsilon Chamaeleontis lies in the constellation Chamaeleon at right ascension 11h 60m and declination -78° 13′.

What telescope do I need to split Epsilon Chamaeleontis?

Splitting Epsilon Chamaeleontis requires an aperture of roughly 200 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 0.1″ at magnitudes near 4.9. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Epsilon Chamaeleontis — Double Star in Chamaeleon

Magnitude 4.9^m DoubleStar Chamaeleon (Cha) Visible

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1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.91

Spectral Type B9Vn

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.06)

Distance 272 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 11h 59m 37.3s

Dec -78° 13' 19.0"

Constellation Chamaeleon (Cha)

HR 4583

HIP 58484

HD 104174

SAO 256894

Bayer Epsilon

SIMBAD

3How easy to spot?

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Equipment	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
Naked eye Naked eye	Medium+	Medium	Hard+
50 mm finder 50mm finder	Easy	Easy	Easy
150 mm telescope 150mm scope	Easy	Easy	Easy

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

4Visibility

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Best season Feb – Apr (peak: Mar)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 0.1″

Companion Mag 6.0

Companion Sp A

Position Angle 271°

Star Colors A: Blue-white B: Yellow-white

Discoverer HJ 4486

Separation over time

Measured 1835 → 2023 (188 y)

Separation drift 1.6" → 0.10" (-1.50")

Rate -0.0080" / y

PA drift 179° → 271° (+92°, +0.489°/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.