When is the best time to observe HIP 33873?

HIP 33873 is best observed from December through February, with peak visibility during January when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 33873 located in the sky?

HIP 33873 lies in the constellation Monoceros at right ascension 07h 02m and declination -01° 21′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 33873?

Splitting HIP 33873 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 24.6″ at magnitudes near 6.2. 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 33873 — Double Star in Monoceros

Magnitude 6.2^m DoubleStar Monoceros (Mon) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.17

Spectral Type G5II bright giant

Star Color Red (B-V 1.28)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 07h 01m 52.9s

Dec -01° 20' 44.0"

Constellation Monoceros (Mon)

HR 2636

HIP 33873

HD 52611

SAO 134073

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.2 mag Companion 10.1 mag Separation 24.6″

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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 Dec – Feb (peak: Jan)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 24.6″

Companion Mag 10.1

Position Angle 254°

Star Colors A: Red

Discoverer KUI 28

Separation over time

Measured 1892 → 2022 (130 y)

Separation drift 24.0" → 24.6" (+0.60")

Rate +0.0046" / y

PA drift 242° → 254° (+12°, +0.092°/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.