When is the best time to observe V766 Centauri?

V766 Centauri is best observed from March through May, with peak visibility during April when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is V766 Centauri located in the sky?

V766 Centauri lies in the constellation Centaurus at right ascension 13h 47m and declination -62° 35′.

What telescope do I need to split V766 Centauri?

Splitting V766 Centauri requires an aperture of roughly 80 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 9.3″ at magnitudes near 6.5. The companion is about 3.4 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

V766 Centauri — Double Star in Centaurus

Magnitude 6.2–7.5^m DoubleStar Centaurus (Cen) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.51

Range 6.11 - 7.50

Variable Type Yellow Hypergiant

Spectral Type K00-Iae

Star Color Orange (B-V 1.98) (reddened by dust)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 13h 47m 10.7s

Dec -62° 35' 24.0"

Constellation Centaurus (Cen)

HR 5171

HIP 67261

HD 119796

SAO 252448

Variable ID V766 Cen

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.5 mag Companion 9.9 mag Separation 9.3″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Medium+	Medium	Hard+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Easy	Easy	Medium+
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 Mar – May (peak: Apr)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 9.3″

Companion Mag 9.9

Position Angle 318°

Star Colors A: Orange (reddened by dust)

Discoverer COO 157

Notes

Companion 10.01V, +0.78(B-V).

Separation over time

Measured 1897 → 2019 (122 y)

Separation drift 10.0" → 9.3" (-0.70")

Rate -0.0057" / y

PA drift 310° → 318° (+8°, +0.066°/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.