When is the best time to observe Gamma Volantis?

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

Where is Gamma Volantis located in the sky?

Gamma Volantis lies in the constellation Volans at right ascension 07h 09m and declination -70° 30′.

What telescope do I need to split Gamma Volantis?

Splitting Gamma Volantis requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 14.5″ at magnitudes near 3.8. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Gamma Volantis — Double Star in Volans

HIP 34481; Gamma2 Volantis

Observable Double Star Excellent (74/100)

Sep: 14.5", Companion: mag 5.4

Magnitude 3.8^m DoubleStar Volans (Vol) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

About Gamma Vol

Description

Gamma Volantis is a G-type giant of spectral class G9 III about 142 light-years away in the southern constellation Volans (the Flying Fish). It shines at magnitude 3.78. Gamma Vol is the brightest star in the small, faint Volans constellation.

Observing Tips

Gamma Vol is only visible from the southern hemisphere. It lies near the boundary of Volans and Carina, in a rich Milky Way region. Best observed from southern latitudes January through July.

History

Gamma Volantis retains its Bayer designation in current IAU catalogs.

Fun Facts

Volans is a small, faint constellation with only a handful of naked-eye stars. Created in 1597 by Petrus Plancius based on the voyage of Keyser and de Houtman, it represents a flying fish leaping from the sea — one of the first "new" constellations added after the Greek canon.

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 3.78

Spectral Type G9III giant

Star Color Orange (B-V 1.04)

Distance 142 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 07h 08m 44.9s

Dec -70° 29' 56.0"

Constellation Volans (Vol)

HR 2736

HIP 34481

HD 55865

SAO 256374

Bayer Gamma2

SIMBAD Wikipedia

3How easy to split?

Primary 3.8 mag Companion 5.4 mag Separation 14.5″

Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Easy	Easy	Easy
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

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Dec – Feb (peak: Jan)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 14.5″

Companion Mag 5.4

Companion Sp F2V

Position Angle 299°

Star Colors A: Orange B: Yellow-white

Discoverer DUN 42

Notes

Binary with HR 2735. Combined mag. and colors, 3.63V, +0.91(B-V), +0.60(U-B), +0.48(R-I).

Separation over time

Measured 1826 → 2021 (195 y)

Separation drift 15.7" → 14.5" (-1.20")

Rate -0.0062" / y

PA drift 302° → 299° (-3°, -0.015°/y)

Slow change over generations — observable in lifetime comparisons.

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.