When is the best time to observe HIP 42302?

HIP 42302 is best observed from December through February, with peak visibility during January when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 42302 located in the sky?

HIP 42302 lies in the constellation Pyxis at right ascension 08h 37m and declination -33° 45′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 42302?

Splitting HIP 42302 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 22.6″ at magnitudes near 6.5. The companion is about 5.3 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 42302 — Double Star in Pyxis

Magnitude 6.5^m DoubleStar Pyxis (Pyx) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.48

Spectral Type F0IV-V subgiant

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.33)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 08h 37m 29.7s

Dec -33° 44' 45.0"

Constellation Pyxis (Pyx)

HR 3419

HIP 42302

HD 73476

SAO 199436

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.5 mag Companion 11.8 mag Separation 22.6″

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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 Quadruple C: optical

Components 4 (quadruple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 22.6″

Companion Mag 11.8

Position Angle 159°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white

Discoverer HJ 4115

Separation over time

Measured 1837 → 2025 (188 y)

Separation drift 20.0" → 22.6" (+2.60")

Rate +0.0138" / y

PA drift 157° → 159° (+2°, +0.011°/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.