When is the best time to observe HIP 34987?

HIP 34987 is best observed from December through February, with peak visibility during January when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 34987 located in the sky?

HIP 34987 lies in the constellation Canis Minor at right ascension 07h 14m and declination +03° 07′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 34987?

Splitting HIP 34987 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 51.0″ at magnitudes near 5.3. The companion is about 4.7 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 34987 — Double Star in Canis Minor

Magnitude 5.3^m DoubleStar Canis Minor (CMi) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.35

Spectral Type K2II bright giant

Star Color Red (B-V 1.19)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 07h 14m 20.0s

Dec +03° 06' 41.0"

Constellation Canis Minor (CMi)

HR 2729

HIP 34987

HD 55751

SAO 115119

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.4 mag Companion 10.0 mag Separation 51.0″

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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 51.0″

Companion Mag 10.0

Position Angle 319°

Star Colors A: Red

Discoverer WFC 52

Separation over time

Measured 1910 → 2015 (105 y)

Separation drift 51.0" → 51.0" (+0.00")

Rate +0.0000" / y

PA drift 319° → 319° (+0°, +0.000°/y)

Essentially fixed on human timescales — the same view your grandchildren will see.

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.