When is the best time to observe Epsilon¹ Lyrae?

Epsilon¹ Lyrae is best observed from May through July, with peak visibility during June when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Epsilon¹ Lyrae located in the sky?

Epsilon¹ Lyrae lies in the constellation Lyra at right ascension 18h 44m and declination +39° 40′.

What telescope do I need to split Epsilon¹ Lyrae?

Splitting Epsilon¹ Lyrae requires an aperture of roughly 100 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 2.2″ at magnitudes near 5.1. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Epsilon¹ Lyrae — Double Star in Lyra

Observable Double Star Good (59/100)

Sep: 2.2", Companion: mag 6.1

Magnitude 5.1^m DoubleStar Lyra (Lyr) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.06

Spectral Type A4V

Star Color White (B-V 0.16)

Distance 155 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 18h 44m 20.4s

Dec +39° 40' 12.0"

Constellation Lyra (Lyr)

HR 7051

HIP 91919

HD 173582

SAO 67310

Bayer Epsilon1

Flamsteed 4 Lyr

Double Cat 11635

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.1 mag Companion 6.1 mag Separation 2.3″

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

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season May – Jul (peak: Jun)

5Multiple Star System 10 components D,I: optical

Components 10

Component IDs AC

Separation 2.2″

Companion Mag 6.1

Companion Sp F1V

Position Angle 344°

Star Colors A: White C: Yellow-white

Discoverer STF2382

Notes

AB 5.00 A2n, 6.10 A4n, 1165.6y, a = 2.78". Binary with HR 7052 = B, and CPM with HR 7053-4 at 208". Combined mag. | and colors for HR 7051-2 are 6.48V, +0.19(B-V), +0.04(U-B).