When is the best time to observe HIP 51475?

HIP 51475 is best observed from January through March, with peak visibility during February when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 51475 located in the sky?

HIP 51475 lies in the constellation Hydra at right ascension 10h 31m and declination -26° 29′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 51475?

Splitting HIP 51475 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 29.4″ at magnitudes near 6.5. The companion is about 3.7 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 51475 — Double Star in Hydra

Magnitude 6.5^m DoubleStar Hydra (Hya) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.51

Spectral Type F7III giant

Star Color Yellow (B-V 0.54)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 10h 30m 51.4s

Dec -26° 29' 02.0"

Constellation Hydra (Hya)

HR 4125

HIP 51475

HD 91135

SAO 178917

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.5 mag Companion 10.2 mag Separation 29.4″

Sign in and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.

Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Medium	Medium	Hard+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Easy	Medium+	Medium+
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

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Jan – Mar (peak: Feb)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 29.4″

Companion Mag 10.2

Position Angle 29°

Star Colors A: Yellow B: Orange

Discoverer UC 1946

Separation over time

Measured 1910 → 2015 (105 y)

Separation drift 28.8" → 29.4" (+0.60")

Rate +0.0057" / y

PA drift 28° → 29° (+1°, +0.010°/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.