When is the best time to observe Epsilon Draconis?

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

Where is Epsilon Draconis located in the sky?

Epsilon Draconis lies in the constellation Draco at right ascension 19h 48m and declination +70° 16′.

What telescope do I need to split Epsilon Draconis?

Splitting Epsilon Draconis requires an aperture of roughly 100 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 3.1″ at magnitudes near 3.8. The companion is about 3.0 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Epsilon Draconis — Double Star in Draco

Observable Double Star Good (55/100)

Sep: 3.1", Companion: mag 6.9

Magnitude 3.8^m DoubleStar Draco (Dra) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 3.83

Spectral Type G7IIIb Fe-1 bright giant

Star Color Orange (B-V 0.89)

Distance 148 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 19h 48m 10.4s

Dec +70° 16' 04.0"

Constellation Draco (Dra)

HR 7582

HIP 97433

HD 188119

SAO 9540

Bayer Epsilon

Flamsteed 63 Dra

Double Cat 13007

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 3.8 mag Companion 6.9 mag Separation 3.1″

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

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Best season Jun – Aug (peak: Jul)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 3.1″

Companion Mag 6.9

Position Angle 21°

Star Colors A: Orange

Discoverer STF2603

Notes

Binary, companion K5III (AJ, 82, 431, 1977). However, Buscombe points out that the companion is F6V and this is more | consistent with the magnitude difference between the components, if physical.

Separation over time

Measured 1823 → 2023 (200 y)

Separation drift 2.6" → 3.1" (+0.50")

Rate +0.0025" / y

PA drift 355° → 21° (+26°, +0.130°/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.