When is the best time to observe HIP 34940?

HIP 34940 is best observed from December through February, with peak visibility during January when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 34940 located in the sky?

HIP 34940 lies in the constellation Canis Major at right ascension 07h 14m and declination -22° 54′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 34940?

Splitting HIP 34940 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 19.3″ at magnitudes near 6.4. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 34940 — Double Star in Canis Major

Magnitude 6.4^m DoubleStar Canis Major (CMa) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.36

Spectral Type B2IV+G5IV subgiant

Star Color Blue (B-V -0.21)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 07h 13m 48.3s

Dec -22° 54' 23.0"

Constellation Canis Major (CMa)

HR 2733

HIP 34940

HD 55856

SAO 173247

Double Cat 5912

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.4 mag Companion 9.1 mag Separation 19.3″

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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 Dec – Feb (peak: Jan)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 19.3″

Companion Mag 9.1

Companion Sp G5IV

Position Angle 251°

Star Colors A: Blue B: Orange

Discoverer HJ 3938

Notes

Companion 9.07V, +0.77(B-V), +0.35(U-B), G1III or G5III, RV -3k/s, optical?

Separation over time

Measured 1837 → 2010 (173 y)

Separation drift 18.0" → 19.3" (+1.30")

Rate +0.0075" / y

PA drift 253° → 251° (-2°, -0.012°/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.