When is the best time to observe HIP 41603?

HIP 41603 is best observed from December through February, with peak visibility during January when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 41603 located in the sky?

HIP 41603 lies in the constellation Pyxis at right ascension 08h 29m and declination -20° 57′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 41603?

Splitting HIP 41603 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 18.2″ at magnitudes near 6.7. The companion is about 5.1 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 41603 — Double Star in Pyxis

Magnitude 6.7^m DoubleStar Pyxis (Pyx) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.67

Spectral Type B8III giant

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.06)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 08h 28m 53.3s

Dec -20° 57' 01.0"

Constellation Pyxis (Pyx)

HR 3345

HIP 41603

HD 71833

SAO 175912

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.7 mag Companion 11.8 mag Separation 18.2″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Hard	V. hard+	V. hard
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Medium	Hard+	Hard
Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm	Medium+	Medium	Hard+

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 18.2″

Companion Mag 11.8

Position Angle 31°

Star Colors A: Blue-white

Discoverer BHA 9

Notes

Companion 10.3v, F2V, optical?

Separation over time

Measured 1917 → 2016 (99 y)

Separation drift 18.7" → 18.2" (-0.50")

Rate -0.0051" / y

PA drift 33° → 31° (-2°, -0.020°/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.