When is the best time to observe HIP 29178?

HIP 29178 is best observed from November through January, with peak visibility during December when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 29178 located in the sky?

HIP 29178 lies in the constellation Lepus at right ascension 06h 09m and declination -18° 08′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 29178?

Splitting HIP 29178 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 24.6″ at magnitudes near 6.3. The companion is about 4.8 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 29178 — Double Star in Lepus

Magnitude 6.3^m DoubleStar Lepus (Lep) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.35

Spectral Type B9Vn

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.03)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 06h 09m 20.3s

Dec -18° 07' 34.0"

Constellation Lepus (Lep)

HR 2182

HIP 29178

HD 42327

SAO 151173

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.4 mag Companion 11.1 mag Separation 24.6″

Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Hard+	Hard	V. hard+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Medium+	Medium	Medium
Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm	Easy	Medium+	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 Nov – Jan (peak: Dec)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 24.6″

Companion Mag 11.1

Position Angle 357°

Star Colors A: Blue-white B: Orange

Discoverer B 2598

Separation over time

Measured 1932 → 2015 (83 y)

Separation drift 17.0" → 24.6" (+7.60")

Rate +0.0916" / y

PA drift 357° → 357° (+0°, +0.000°/y)

Apparent motion is significant on a human timescale — worth revisiting in a decade.

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.