When is the best time to observe HIP 48468?

HIP 48468 is best observed from January through March, with peak visibility during February when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 48468 located in the sky?

HIP 48468 lies in the constellation Antlia at right ascension 09h 53m and declination -27° 20′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 48468?

Splitting HIP 48468 requires an aperture of roughly 360 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 1.5″ at magnitudes near 6.3. The companion is about 4.2 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 48468 — Double Star in Antlia

Magnitude 6.3^m DoubleStar Antlia (Ant) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.30

Spectral Type G1V

Star Color Yellow (B-V 0.62)

Distance 217 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 09h 52m 58.0s

Dec -27° 19' 56.0"

Constellation Antlia (Ant)

HR 3916

HIP 48468

HD 85725

SAO 178130

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.3 mag Companion 10.5 mag Separation 1.5″

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

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

To reach "Medium" at Bortle 3, you'd need at least a 360 mm reflector.

4Visibility

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Best season Jan – Mar (peak: Feb)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 1.5″

Companion Mag 10.5

Position Angle 25°

Star Colors A: Yellow B: Red

Discoverer RST5341

Notes

Binary.

Separation over time

Measured 1944 → 2015 (71 y)

Separation drift 1.1" → 1.5" (+0.40")

Rate +0.0056" / y

PA drift 4° → 25° (+21°, +0.296°/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.