When is the best time to observe HIP 31066?

HIP 31066 is best observed from November through January, with peak visibility during December when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 31066 located in the sky?

HIP 31066 lies in the constellation Monoceros at right ascension 06h 31m and declination +11° 15′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 31066?

Splitting HIP 31066 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 16.2″ at magnitudes near 6.1. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 31066 — Double Star in Monoceros

Magnitude 6.1^m DoubleStar Monoceros (Mon) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.14

Spectral Type B2V:nne

Star Color Blue (B-V -0.08)

Distance 362 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 06h 31m 09.5s

Dec +11° 15' 03.0"

Constellation Monoceros (Mon)

HR 2370

HIP 31066

HD 45995

SAO 95766

Double Cat 5153

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.1 mag Companion 9.1 mag Separation 16.2″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Easy	Medium+	Medium+
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 16.2″

Companion Mag 9.1

Position Angle 3°

Star Colors A: Blue B: Yellow-white

Discoverer STF 921

Notes

Double emission lines of which red component variable intensity. Component B, 9.09V, -0.05(B-V), -0.30(U-B), B9IVe, | RV +6k/s, vsini 201k/s.

Separation over time

Measured 1825 → 2019 (194 y)

Separation drift 16.9" → 16.2" (-0.70")

Rate -0.0036" / y

PA drift 5° → 3° (-2°, -0.010°/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.