When is the best time to observe HIP 115261?

HIP 115261 is best observed from August through October, with peak visibility during September when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 115261 located in the sky?

HIP 115261 lies in the constellation Andromeda at right ascension 23h 21m and declination +44° 07′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 115261?

Splitting HIP 115261 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 13.6″ at magnitudes near 6.1. The companion is about 4.0 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 115261 — Double Star in Andromeda

Magnitude 6.1^m DoubleStar Andromeda (And) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.13

Spectral Type A5Vn

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.17)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 23h 20m 44.0s

Dec +44° 06' 59.0"

Constellation Andromeda (And)

HR 8884

HIP 115261

HD 220105

SAO 52927

Double Cat 16685

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.1 mag Companion 10.1 mag Separation 13.6″

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

5Multiple Star System

Separation 13.6″

Companion Mag 10.1

Position Angle 177°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white B: Orange

Discoverer STF3004

Notes

CPM.

Separation over time

Measured 1828 → 2019 (191 y)

Separation drift 11.0" → 13.6" (+2.60")

Rate +0.0136" / y

PA drift 181° → 177° (-4°, -0.021°/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.