When is the best time to observe Eta Volantis?

Eta Volantis is best observed from December through February, with peak visibility during January when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Eta Volantis located in the sky?

Eta Volantis lies in the constellation Volans at right ascension 08h 22m and declination -73° 24′.

What telescope do I need to split Eta Volantis?

Splitting Eta Volantis requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 48.1″ at magnitudes near 5.3. The companion is about 6.3 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Eta Volantis — Double Star in Volans

Magnitude 5.3^m DoubleStar Volans (Vol) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.29

Spectral Type A0-1IV-V

Star Color Blue-white (B-V 0.01)

Distance 326 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 08h 22m 04.4s

Dec -73° 24' 00.0"

Constellation Volans (Vol)

HR 3334

HIP 41003

HD 71576

SAO 256505

Bayer Eta

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.3 mag Companion 11.6 mag Separation 48.1″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Hard	V. hard+	V. hard
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Medium	Medium	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 Dec – Feb (peak: Jan)

5Multiple Star System Triple

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AC

Separation 48.1″

Companion Mag 11.6

Position Angle 164°

Star Colors A: Blue-white

Discoverer HJ 4103

Separation over time

Measured 1836 → 2015 (179 y)

Separation drift 45.0" → 48.1" (+3.10")

Rate +0.0173" / y

PA drift 158° → 164° (+6°, +0.034°/y)

Apparent motion is significant on a human timescale — worth revisiting in a decade.

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.