When is the best time to observe HIP 66223?

HIP 66223 is best observed from March through May, with peak visibility during April when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 66223 located in the sky?

HIP 66223 lies in the constellation Canes Venatici at right ascension 13h 34m and declination +38° 47′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 66223?

Splitting HIP 66223 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 28.5″ at magnitudes near 6.4. The companion is about 4.1 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 66223 — Double Star in Canes Venatici

Magnitude 6.4^m DoubleStar Canes Venatici (CVn) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.37

Spectral Type F0IV subgiant

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.21)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 13h 34m 21.8s

Dec +38° 47' 21.0"

Constellation Canes Venatici (CVn)

HR 5108

HIP 66223

HD 118156

SAO 63616

Double Cat 8956

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.4 mag Companion 10.5 mag Separation 28.5″

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

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

4Visibility

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Best season Mar – May (peak: Apr)

5Multiple Star System B: optical

Separation 28.5″

Companion Mag 10.5

Position Angle 5°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white

Discoverer HJ 1234

Notes

Optical.

Separation over time

Measured 1896 → 2015 (119 y)

Separation drift 33.4" → 28.5" (-4.90")

Rate -0.0412" / y

PA drift 23° → 5° (-18°, -0.151°/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.