When is the best time to observe HIP 63117?

HIP 63117 is best observed from February through April, with peak visibility during March when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 63117 located in the sky?

HIP 63117 lies in the constellation Crux at right ascension 12h 56m and declination -56° 50′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 63117?

Splitting HIP 63117 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 29.6″ at magnitudes near 5.3. The companion is about 6.4 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 63117 — Double Star in Crux

Magnitude 5.3^m DoubleStar Crux (Cru) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.32

Spectral Type O9Ib supergiant

Star Color White (B-V 0.01)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 12h 55m 57.0s

Dec -56° 50' 10.0"

Constellation Crux (Cru)

HR 4908

HIP 63117

HD 112244

SAO 240385

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.3 mag Companion 11.8 mag Separation 29.6″

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

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 29.6″

Companion Mag 11.8

Position Angle 316°

Star Colors A: White

Discoverer HDO 221

Notes

Companion K0III.

Separation over time

Measured 1891 → 2018 (127 y)

Separation drift 25.0" → 29.6" (+4.60")

Rate +0.0362" / y

PA drift 290° → 316° (+26°, +0.205°/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.