When is the best time to observe Gamma Camelopardalis?

Gamma Camelopardalis is best observed from October through December, with peak visibility during November when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Gamma Camelopardalis located in the sky?

Gamma Camelopardalis lies in the constellation Camelopardalis at right ascension 03h 50m and declination +71° 20′.

What telescope do I need to split Gamma Camelopardalis?

Splitting Gamma Camelopardalis requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 106.0″ at magnitudes near 4.6. The companion is about 4.4 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Gamma Camelopardalis — Double Star in Camelopardalis

DoubleStar Camelopardalis (Cam) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.63

Spectral Type A2IVn

Star Color White (B-V 0.03)

Distance 272 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 03h 50m 21.5s

Dec +71° 19' 56.0"

Constellation Camelopardalis (Cam)

HR 1148

HIP 17959

HD 23401

Bayer Gamma

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.6 mag Companion 9.1 mag Separation 106.0″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Easy	Medium+	Medium+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Easy	Easy	Easy
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 Oct – Dec (peak: Nov)

5Multiple Star System Triple

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AC

Separation 106.0″

Companion Mag 9.1

Position Angle 85°

Star Colors A: White

Discoverer HJ 2200

Separation over time

Measured 1892 → 2015 (123 y)

Separation drift 106.1" → 106.0" (-0.10")

Rate -0.0008" / y

PA drift 84° → 85° (+1°, +0.008°/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.