When is the best time to observe HIP 46874?

HIP 46874 is best observed from January through March, with peak visibility during February when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 46874 located in the sky?

HIP 46874 lies in the constellation Antlia at right ascension 09h 33m and declination -39° 08′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 46874?

Splitting HIP 46874 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 56.0″ at magnitudes near 6.4. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 46874 — Double Star in Antlia

Magnitude 6.4^m DoubleStar Antlia (Ant) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.43

Spectral Type F0IV subgiant

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.33)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 09h 33m 07.8s

Dec -39° 07' 44.0"

Constellation Antlia (Ant)

HR 3812

HIP 46874

HD 82785

SAO 200492

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.4 mag Companion 9.2 mag Separation 56.0″

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

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Best season Jan – Mar (peak: Feb)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 56.0″

Companion Mag 9.2

Position Angle 205°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white B: Orange

Discoverer JC 21

Separation over time

Measured 1847 → 2016 (169 y)

Separation drift 55.2" → 56.0" (+0.80")

Rate +0.0047" / y

PA drift 204° → 205° (+1°, +0.006°/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.