When is the best time to observe HIP 23287?

HIP 23287 is best observed from November through January, with peak visibility during December when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 23287 located in the sky?

HIP 23287 lies in the constellation Orion at right ascension 05h 01m and declination +03° 37′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 23287?

Splitting HIP 23287 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 21.2″ at magnitudes near 6.7. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 23287 — Double Star in Orion

Magnitude 6.7^m DoubleStar Orion (Ori) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.66

Spectral Type B9Vn

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.07)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 05h 00m 33.9s

Dec +03° 36' 58.0"

Constellation Orion (Ori)

HR 1610

HIP 23287

HD 32040

SAO 112305

Double Cat 3597

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.7 mag Companion 7.0 mag Separation 21.2″

Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Easy	Easy	Easy
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Easy	Easy	Easy
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

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Nov – Jan (peak: Dec)

5Multiple Star System C: optical

Separation 21.2″

Companion Mag 7.0

Companion Sp B9Vn

Position Angle 260°

Star Colors A: Blue-white B: Blue-white

Discoverer STF 627

Notes

Fixed with HR 1609. Colors for combined light.

Separation over time

Measured 1799 → 2020 (221 y)

Separation drift 21.0" → 21.2" (+0.20")

Rate +0.0009" / y

PA drift 270° → 260° (-10°, -0.045°/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.