When is the best time to observe HIP 52154?

HIP 52154 is best observed from January through March, with peak visibility during February when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 52154 located in the sky?

HIP 52154 lies in the constellation Vela at right ascension 10h 39m and declination -55° 36′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 52154?

Splitting HIP 52154 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 51.8″ at magnitudes near 4.3. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 52154 — Double Star in Vela

Observable Double Star Excellent (66/100)

Sep: 51.8", Companion: mag 6.1

Magnitude 4.3^m DoubleStar Vela (Vel) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.28

Spectral Type G2-3Ib

Star Color Yellow (B-V 1.04) (reddened by dust)

Distance 142 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 10h 39m 18.4s

Dec -55° 36' 12.0"

Constellation Vela (Vel)

HR 4180

HIP 52154

HD 92449

SAO 238309

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.3 mag Companion 6.1 mag Separation 51.8″

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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 Triple D: optical

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 51.8″

Companion Mag 6.1

Companion Sp B8

Position Angle 106°

Star Colors A: Yellow (reddened by dust) B: Blue-white

Discoverer DUN 95

Notes

Probably CPM. B is B8. C, 11.2v at 20" from B.

Separation over time

Measured 1826 → 2016 (190 y)

Separation drift 53.3" → 51.8" (-1.50")

Rate -0.0079" / y

PA drift 105° → 106° (+1°, +0.005°/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.