When is the best time to observe HIP 31168?

HIP 31168 is best observed from November through January, with peak visibility during December when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 31168 located in the sky?

HIP 31168 lies in the constellation Monoceros at right ascension 06h 32m and declination +11° 40′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 31168?

Splitting HIP 31168 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 29.2″ at magnitudes near 6.0. The companion is about 3.9 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 31168 — Double Star in Monoceros

Magnitude 6.0^m DoubleStar Monoceros (Mon) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.03

Spectral Type K0III giant

Star Color Orange (B-V 1.07)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 06h 32m 23.3s

Dec +11° 40' 25.0"

Constellation Monoceros (Mon)

HR 2378

HIP 31168

HD 46178

SAO 95803

Double Cat 5170

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.0 mag Companion 9.9 mag Separation 29.2″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Medium+	Medium	Hard+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Easy	Easy	Medium+
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 29.2″

Companion Mag 9.9

Position Angle 140°

Star Colors A: Orange

Discoverer STT 146

Notes

Optical.

Separation over time

Measured 1867 → 2012 (145 y)

Separation drift 33.3" → 29.2" (-4.10")

Rate -0.0283" / y

PA drift 143° → 140° (-3°, -0.021°/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.