When is the best time to observe HIP 55044?

HIP 55044 is best observed from February through April, with peak visibility during March when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 55044 located in the sky?

HIP 55044 lies in the constellation Ursa Major at right ascension 11h 16m and declination +52° 46′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 55044?

Splitting HIP 55044 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 12.2″ at magnitudes near 6.5. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 55044 — Double Star in Ursa Major

Magnitude 6.5^m DoubleStar Ursa Major (UMa) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.50

Spectral Type F6V+F9V

Star Color Yellow (B-V 0.43)

Distance 63 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 11h 16m 04.0s

Dec +52° 46' 23.0"

Constellation Ursa Major (UMa)

HR 4363

HIP 55044

HD 97855

SAO 27970

Double Cat 8108

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.5 mag Companion 7.8 mag Separation 12.2″

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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 Feb – Apr (peak: Mar)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 12.2″

Companion Mag 7.8

Companion Sp F9V

Position Angle 343°

Star Colors A: Yellow B: Yellow

Discoverer STF1520

Notes

CPM.

Separation over time

Measured 1823 → 2024 (201 y)

Separation drift 13.1" → 12.2" (-0.90")

Rate -0.0045" / y

PA drift 346° → 343° (-3°, -0.015°/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.