When is the best time to observe HIP 42835?

HIP 42835 is best observed from December through February, with peak visibility during January when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 42835 located in the sky?

HIP 42835 lies in the constellation Hydra at right ascension 08h 44m and declination -07° 14′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 42835?

Splitting HIP 42835 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 78.8″ at magnitudes near 4.6. The companion is about 3.6 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 42835 — Double Star in Hydra

Observable Double Star Good (52/100)

Sep: 78.8", Companion: mag 8.2

Magnitude 4.6^m DoubleStar Hydra (Hya) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.62

Spectral Type G1Ib supergiant

Star Color Orange (B-V 0.84)

Distance 466 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 08h 43m 40.4s

Dec -07° 14' 01.0"

Constellation Hydra (Hya)

HR 3459

HIP 42835

HD 74395

SAO 136221

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.6 mag Companion 8.2 mag Separation 78.8″

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

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 78.8″

Companion Mag 8.2

Position Angle 310°

Star Colors A: Orange

Discoverer S 579

Separation over time

Measured 1782 → 2015 (233 y)

Separation drift 70.2" → 78.8" (+8.60")

Rate +0.0369" / y

PA drift 310° → 310° (+0°, +0.000°/y)

Apparent motion is significant on a human timescale — worth revisiting in a decade.

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.