When is the best time to observe Gamma Circini?

Gamma Circini is best observed from April through June, with peak visibility during May when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Gamma Circini located in the sky?

Gamma Circini lies in the constellation Circinus at right ascension 15h 23m and declination -59° 19′.

What telescope do I need to split Gamma Circini?

Splitting Gamma Circini requires an aperture of roughly 270 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 0.8″ at magnitudes near 4.5. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Gamma Circini — Double Star in Circinus

Magnitude 4.5^m DoubleStar Circinus (Cir) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.51

Spectral Type B5IV+F8 subgiant

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.19)

Distance 326 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 15h 23m 22.7s

Dec -59° 19' 15.0"

Constellation Circinus (Cir)

HR 5704

HIP 75323

HD 136415

SAO 242463

Bayer Gamma

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.5 mag Companion 5.7 mag Separation 0.8″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	V. hard	V. hard	V. hard
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Hard	Hard	Hard
Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm	Hard	Hard	Hard

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

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

To reach "Medium" at Bortle 3, you'd need at least a 270 mm reflector.

4Visibility

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Best season Apr – Jun (peak: May)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 0.8″

Companion Mag 5.7

Companion Sp F8

Position Angle 352°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white B: Yellow

Discoverer HJ 4757

Notes

5.1 B5, 5.5 F8, 778.54y, a = 2.384" or 269.90y, a = 2.485". Although a period has been derived, spectroscopic evidence | indicates that the F8 component is a dwarf much closer to the Sun than the B5 star: probably optical.