When is the best time to observe HIP 12072?

HIP 12072 is best observed from September through November, with peak visibility during October when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 12072 located in the sky?

HIP 12072 lies in the constellation Andromeda at right ascension 02h 36m and declination +37° 19′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 12072?

Splitting HIP 12072 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 17.9″ at magnitudes near 5.7. The companion is about 4.6 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 12072 — Double Star in Andromeda

Magnitude 5.7^m DoubleStar Andromeda (And) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.71

Spectral Type K3III giant

Star Color Red (B-V 1.39)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 02h 35m 38.8s

Dec +37° 18' 44.0"

Constellation Andromeda (And)

HR 748

HIP 12072

HD 16028

SAO 55684

Double Cat 1964

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.7 mag Companion 10.3 mag Separation 17.9″

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

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Sep – Nov (peak: Oct)

5Multiple Star System Triple

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 17.9″

Companion Mag 10.3

Position Angle 71°

Star Colors A: Red

Discoverer STF 279

Separation over time

Measured 1831 → 2016 (185 y)

Separation drift 17.0" → 17.9" (+0.90")

Rate +0.0049" / y

PA drift 71° → 71° (+0°, +0.000°/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.