When is the best time to observe HIP 32851?

HIP 32851 is best observed from November through January, with peak visibility during December when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 32851 located in the sky?

HIP 32851 lies in the constellation Monoceros at right ascension 06h 51m and declination -00° 32′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 32851?

Splitting HIP 32851 requires an aperture of roughly 80 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 6.6″ at magnitudes near 5.8. The companion is about 5.3 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 32851 — Double Star in Monoceros

Magnitude 5.8^m DoubleStar Monoceros (Mon) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.77

Spectral Type F2V

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.39)

Distance 91 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 06h 50m 49.9s

Dec -00° 32' 27.0"

Constellation Monoceros (Mon)

HR 2530

HIP 32851

HD 49933

SAO 133760

Double Cat 5505

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.8 mag Companion 11.1 mag Separation 6.6″

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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	Medium+	Medium+	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 6.6″

Companion Mag 11.1

Companion Sp M0

Position Angle 24°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white B: Red

Discoverer BU 897

Notes

CPM.

Separation over time

Measured 1879 → 2017 (138 y)

Separation drift 5.6" → 6.6" (+1.00")

Rate +0.0072" / y

PA drift 31° → 24° (-7°, -0.051°/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.