When is the best time to observe HIP 52102?

HIP 52102 is best observed from January through March, with peak visibility during February when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 52102 located in the sky?

HIP 52102 lies in the constellation Carina at right ascension 10h 39m and declination -59° 11′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 52102?

Splitting HIP 52102 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 14.6″ at magnitudes near 4.7. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 52102 — Double Star in Carina

Observable Double Star Excellent (68/100)

Sep: 14.6", Companion: mag 7.5

Magnitude 4.7^m DoubleStar Carina (Car) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.66

Range 4.68 - 4.76

Variable Type LC

Spectral Type K4-5III:

Star Color Orange (B-V 1.48) (reddened by dust)

Distance 204 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 10h 38m 45.1s

Dec -59° 10' 59.0"

Constellation Carina (Car)

HR 4177

HIP 52102

HD 92397

SAO 238295

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.7 mag Companion 7.5 mag Separation 14.6″

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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)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 14.6″

Companion Mag 7.5

Position Angle 21°

Star Colors A: Orange (reddened by dust)

Discoverer DUN 94

Notes

Fixed. Combined mag., colors. Companion A5V.

Separation over time

Measured 1826 → 2015 (189 y)

Separation drift 10.1" → 14.6" (+4.50")

Rate +0.0238" / y

PA drift 11° → 21° (+10°, +0.053°/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.