When is the best time to observe HIP 116781?

HIP 116781 is best observed from August through October, with peak visibility during September when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 116781 located in the sky?

HIP 116781 lies in the constellation Andromeda at right ascension 23h 40m and declination +37° 39′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 116781?

Splitting HIP 116781 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 15.0″ at magnitudes near 6.5. 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 116781 — Double Star in Andromeda

Magnitude 6.5^m DoubleStar Andromeda (And) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.53

Spectral Type F2IV subgiant

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.35)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 23h 40m 02.8s

Dec +37° 39' 09.0"

Constellation Andromeda (And)

HR 8973

HIP 116781

HD 222399

SAO 73422

Double Cat 16913

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.5 mag Companion 10.6 mag Separation 15.0″

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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 Aug – Oct (peak: Sep)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 15.0″

Companion Mag 10.6

Position Angle 162°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white B: Orange

Discoverer STT 501

Notes

CPM.

Separation over time

Measured 1843 → 2016 (173 y)

Separation drift 14.2" → 15.0" (+0.80")

Rate +0.0046" / y

PA drift 164° → 162° (-2°, -0.012°/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.