When is the best time to observe HIP 38164?

HIP 38164 is best observed from December through February, with peak visibility during January when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 38164 located in the sky?

HIP 38164 lies in the constellation Puppis at right ascension 07h 49m and declination -46° 22′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 38164?

Splitting HIP 38164 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 59.1″ at magnitudes near 4.1. 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 38164 — Double Star in Puppis

Observable Double Star Good (52/100)

Sep: 59.1", Companion: mag 8.8

Magnitude 4.1^m DoubleStar Puppis (Pup) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.11

Spectral Type B0III giant

Star Color Blue (B-V -0.18)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 07h 49m 14.3s

Dec -46° 22' 24.0"

Constellation Puppis (Pup)

HR 3055

HIP 38164

HD 63922

SAO 219035

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.1 mag Companion 8.8 mag Separation 59.1″

Sign in and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.

Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Easy	Easy	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

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Dec – Feb (peak: Jan)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 59.1″

Companion Mag 8.8

Position Angle 104°

Star Colors A: Blue B: Yellow-white

Discoverer JC 11

Notes

Companion B9V, RV -72k/s, optical.

Separation over time

Measured 1846 → 1999 (153 y)

Separation drift 60.0" → 59.1" (-0.90")

Rate -0.0059" / y

PA drift 103° → 104° (+1°, +0.007°/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.