When is the best time to observe HIP 31617?

HIP 31617 is best observed from November through January, with peak visibility during December when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 31617 located in the sky?

HIP 31617 lies in the constellation Columba at right ascension 06h 37m and declination -38° 09′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 31617?

Splitting HIP 31617 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 70.9″ at magnitudes near 6.0. The companion is about 5.2 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 31617 — Double Star in Columba

Magnitude 6.0^m DoubleStar Columba (Col) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.04

Spectral Type K0III giant

Star Color Orange (B-V 1.03)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 06h 37m 01.9s

Dec -38° 08' 48.0"

Constellation Columba (Col)

HR 2444

HIP 31617

HD 47463

SAO 197011

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.0 mag Companion 11.2 mag Separation 70.9″

Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Hard+	Hard	V. hard+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Medium+	Medium	Hard+
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 Quadruple

Components 4 (quadruple)

Component IDs AC

Separation 70.9″

Companion Mag 11.2

Position Angle 184°

Star Colors A: Orange

Discoverer HDO 196

Separation over time

Measured 1908 → 2015 (107 y)

Separation drift 67.6" → 70.9" (+3.30")

Rate +0.0308" / y

PA drift 185° → 184° (-1°, -0.009°/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.