When is the best time to observe HIP 106424?

HIP 106424 is best observed from July through September, with peak visibility during August when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 106424 located in the sky?

HIP 106424 lies in the constellation Octans at right ascension 21h 33m and declination -80° 02′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 106424?

Splitting HIP 106424 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 23.8″ at magnitudes near 6.5. The companion is about 3.9 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 106424 — Double Star in Octans

Magnitude 6.5^m DoubleStar Octans (Oct) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.47

Spectral Type A0V

Star Color Blue-white (B-V 0.04)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 21h 33m 20.6s

Dec -80° 02' 21.0"

Constellation Octans (Oct)

HR 8201

HIP 106424

HD 203955

SAO 258904

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.5 mag Companion 10.4 mag Separation 23.8″

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

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

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

4Visibility

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Best season Jul – Sep (peak: Aug)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 23.8″

Companion Mag 10.4

Position Angle 92°

Star Colors A: Blue-white B: Yellow

Discoverer HJ 5262

Separation over time

Measured 1836 → 2023 (187 y)

Separation drift 24.2" → 23.8" (-0.40")

Rate -0.0021" / y

PA drift 92° → 92° (+0°, +0.000°/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.