When is the best time to observe HIP 66704?

HIP 66704 is best observed from March through May, with peak visibility during April when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 66704 located in the sky?

HIP 66704 lies in the constellation Ursa Major at right ascension 13h 40m and declination +50° 31′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 66704?

Splitting HIP 66704 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 17.3″ at magnitudes near 6.3. The companion is about 4.2 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 66704 — Double Star in Ursa Major

Magnitude 6.3^m DoubleStar Ursa Major (UMa) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.32

Spectral Type F7-9V

Star Color Yellow (B-V 0.54)

Distance 67 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 13h 40m 23.2s

Dec +50° 31' 10.0"

Constellation Ursa Major (UMa)

HR 5148

HIP 66704

HD 119124

SAO 28836

Double Cat 8992

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.3 mag Companion 10.5 mag Separation 17.3″

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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

Separation 17.3″

Companion Mag 10.5

Position Angle 135°

Star Colors A: Yellow B: Red

Discoverer STF1774

Notes

CPM.

Separation over time

Measured 1879 → 2020 (141 y)

Separation drift 17.9" → 17.3" (-0.60")

Rate -0.0043" / y

PA drift 134° → 135° (+1°, +0.007°/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.