When is the best time to observe HIP 61703?

HIP 61703 is best observed from February through April, with peak visibility during March when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 61703 located in the sky?

HIP 61703 lies in the constellation Musca at right ascension 12h 39m and declination -67° 12′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 61703?

Splitting HIP 61703 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 17.2″ at magnitudes near 6.2. The companion is about 5.2 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 61703 — Double Star in Musca

Magnitude 6.2^m DoubleStar Musca (Mus) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.25

Spectral Type B1Ia supergiant

Star Color White (B-V 0.06)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 12h 38m 52.5s

Dec -67° 11' 35.0"

Constellation Musca (Mus)

HR 4806

HIP 61703

HD 109867

SAO 251980

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.3 mag Companion 11.5 mag Separation 17.2″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Hard	Hard	V. hard+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Medium+	Medium	Hard+
Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm	Medium+	Medium+	Medium

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 17.2″

Companion Mag 11.5

Position Angle 339°

Star Colors A: White

Discoverer HJ 4535

Notes

Companion B7p.

Separation over time

Measured 1835 → 2015 (180 y)

Separation drift 7.0" → 17.2" (+10.20")

Rate +0.0567" / y

PA drift 336° → 339° (+3°, +0.017°/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.