When is the best time to observe HIP 30468?

HIP 30468 is best observed from November through January, with peak visibility during December when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 30468 located in the sky?

HIP 30468 lies in the constellation Canis Major at right ascension 06h 24m and declination -12° 58′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 30468?

Splitting HIP 30468 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 23.1″ at magnitudes near 6.1. The companion is about 4.4 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 30468 — Double Star in Canis Major

Magnitude 6.1^m DoubleStar Canis Major (CMa) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.12

Spectral Type B5Ve

Star Color Blue (B-V -0.08)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 06h 24m 20.5s

Dec -12° 57' 45.0"

Constellation Canis Major (CMa)

HR 2309

HIP 30468

HD 44996

SAO 151461

Double Cat 5030

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.1 mag Companion 10.5 mag Separation 23.1″

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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 Nov – Jan (peak: Dec)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 23.1″

Companion Mag 10.5

Position Angle 295°

Star Colors A: Blue B: Yellow

Discoverer STF 903

Notes

CPM companion F0V; however, the companion is optical.

Separation over time

Measured 1829 → 2021 (192 y)

Separation drift 23.3" → 23.1" (-0.20")

Rate -0.0010" / y

PA drift 294° → 295° (+1°, +0.005°/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.