When is the best time to observe HIP 22488?

HIP 22488 is best observed from October through December, with peak visibility during November when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 22488 located in the sky?

HIP 22488 lies in the constellation Caelum at right ascension 04h 50m and declination -41° 19′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 22488?

Splitting HIP 22488 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 12.9″ at magnitudes near 6.1. The companion is about 4.3 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 22488 — Double Star in Caelum

Magnitude 6.1^m DoubleStar Caelum (Cae) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.07

Spectral Type F2-3V

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.37)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 04h 50m 16.2s

Dec -41° 19' 15.0"

Constellation Caelum (Cae)

HR 1557

HIP 22488

HD 30985

SAO 217032

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.1 mag Companion 10.4 mag Separation 12.9″

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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 Oct – Dec (peak: Nov)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 12.9″

Companion Mag 10.4

Position Angle 254°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white B: Orange

Discoverer HJ 3697

Notes

Companion optical.

Separation over time

Measured 1835 → 2016 (181 y)

Separation drift 15.0" → 12.9" (-2.10")

Rate -0.0116" / y

PA drift 285° → 254° (-31°, -0.171°/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.