When is the best time to observe Gamma Caeli?

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

Where is Gamma Caeli located in the sky?

Gamma Caeli lies in the constellation Caelum at right ascension 05h 04m and declination -35° 29′.

What telescope do I need to split Gamma Caeli?

Splitting Gamma Caeli requires an aperture of roughly 100 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 3.2″ at magnitudes near 4.5. The companion is about 3.6 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Gamma Caeli — Double Star in Caelum

Observable Double Star Good (53/100)

Sep: 3.2", Companion: mag 8.2

Magnitude 4.5^m DoubleStar Caelum (Cae) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.55

Spectral Type K3III giant

Star Color Red (B-V 1.20)

Distance 251 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 05h 04m 24.4s

Dec -35° 29' 00.0"

Constellation Caelum (Cae)

HR 1652

HIP 23595

HD 32831

SAO 195532

Bayer Gamma1

Variable ID Var?

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.6 mag Companion 8.2 mag Separation 3.2″

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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	Medium+	Medium+	Medium+

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

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

4Visibility

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Best season Nov – Jan (peak: Dec)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 3.2″

Companion Mag 8.2

Position Angle 305°

Star Colors A: Red

Discoverer JC 9

Separation over time

Measured 1847 → 2016 (169 y)

Separation drift 2.9" → 3.2" (+0.30")

Rate +0.0018" / y

PA drift 312° → 305° (-7°, -0.041°/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.