When is the best time to observe HIP 50676?

HIP 50676 is best observed from January through March, with peak visibility during February when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 50676 located in the sky?

HIP 50676 lies in the constellation Vela at right ascension 10h 21m and declination -56° 03′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 50676?

Splitting HIP 50676 requires an aperture of roughly 80 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 7.2″ at magnitudes near 4.5. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 50676 — Double Star in Vela

Observable Double Star Excellent (65/100)

Sep: 7.2", Companion: mag 7.2

Magnitude 4.5^m DoubleStar Vela (Vel) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.50

Range 4.48 - 4.50

Period 2.3 days

Variable Type Slowly Pulsating Be Star

Spectral Type B3IIIe bright giant

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.12)

Distance 408 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 10h 20m 54.8s

Dec -56° 02' 35.0"

Constellation Vela (Vel)

HR 4074

HIP 50676

HD 89890

SAO 237959

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.5 mag Companion 7.2 mag Separation 7.2″

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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 Jan – Mar (peak: Feb)

5Light Curve

6Multiple Star System Triple

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 7.2″

Companion Mag 7.2

Position Angle 102°

Star Colors A: Blue-white B: Yellow-white

Discoverer RMK 13

Notes

AB binary?

Separation over time

Measured 1834 → 2015 (181 y)

Separation drift 6.0" → 7.2" (+1.20")

Rate +0.0066" / y

PA drift 104° → 102° (-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.