When is the best time to observe HIP 53240?

HIP 53240 is best observed from January through March, with peak visibility during February when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 53240 located in the sky?

HIP 53240 lies in the constellation Leo at right ascension 10h 53m and declination -02° 15′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 53240?

Splitting HIP 53240 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 35.2″ at magnitudes near 6.1. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 53240 — Double Star in Leo

Magnitude 6.1^m DoubleStar Leo Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.12

Spectral Type K0III+G0V giant

Star Color Orange (B-V 0.90)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 10h 53m 24.9s

Dec -02° 15' 19.0"

Constellation Leo

HR 4249

HIP 53240

HD 94363

SAO 137863

Double Cat 7967

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.1 mag Companion 8.7 mag Separation 35.2″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Easy	Easy	Medium+
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 35.2″

Companion Mag 8.7

Position Angle 178°

Star Colors A: Orange

Discoverer S 617

Notes

CPM. Companion 8.75V, +0.58(B-V), +0.01(U-B), G0V, RV = +18k/s.

Separation over time

Measured 1796 → 2017 (221 y)

Separation drift 34.0" → 35.2" (+1.20")

Rate +0.0054" / y

PA drift 180° → 178° (-2°, -0.009°/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.