When is the best time to observe HIP 25950?

HIP 25950 is best observed from November through January, with peak visibility during December when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 25950 located in the sky?

HIP 25950 lies in the constellation Taurus at right ascension 05h 32m and declination +17° 03′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 25950?

Splitting HIP 25950 requires an aperture of roughly 80 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 9.7″ at magnitudes near 5.5. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 25950 — Double Star in Taurus

Observable Double Star Excellent (67/100)

Sep: 9.7", Companion: mag 6.4

Magnitude 5.5^m DoubleStar Taurus (Tau) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.46

Spectral Type B7IIIe bright giant

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.04)

Distance 362 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 05h 32m 14.2s

Dec +17° 03' 29.0"

Constellation Taurus (Tau)

HR 1847

HIP 25950

HD 36408

SAO 94630

Double Cat 4131

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.5 mag Companion 6.4 mag Separation 9.7″

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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

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Best season Nov – Jan (peak: Dec)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 9.7″

Companion Mag 6.4

Companion Sp B7IV

Position Angle 141°

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

Discoverer STF 730

Notes

Companion is B7IV, vsini 291k/s, optical.

Separation over time

Measured 1783 → 2019 (236 y)

Separation drift 12.2" → 9.7" (-2.50")

Rate -0.0106" / y

PA drift 142° → 141° (-1°, -0.004°/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.